2buyornot2buy Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 NI jobless rate rises http://www.u.tv/News/NI-jobless-rate-rises/f25a08f7-c4b9-44e8-8079-9328b1f06e25 Northern Ireland's unemployment rate has risen to 7.7% in the last quarter. The rate was recorded for the period December - February 2014 and marked a rise of 0.4 percentage points from the previous quarter. Self employed up 20k over the year. Tax credits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buyornot2buy Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Now this is a wonderful upbeat story about Northern Ireland design ability http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/walking-miracle-device-brings-joy-to-disabled-children-around-the-world-meet-the-firefly-upsee-30189302.html Amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 NI economy still lagging in growth compared to other UK regionshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27207229 The Northern Ireland economy, while "well into recovery", is still lagging in growth compared to other UK regions, according to a new report. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) stated the construction and retail sectors "remain depressed". Its report also said there was "a hint of a two-stage recovery", where the unskilled and low-paid may still be feeling the recession. PwC expects the NI economy to grow by two percent this year and next. Chief economist Esmond Birnie said: "Consumer confidence is at a five-year high and there is a general sense of optimism in the local economy." PwC's latest economic outlook also warned Northern Ireland remains overly reliant on the public sector, where further cutbacks are likely. "While job creation during 2013 was very encouraging, considerable employment growth came from the public sector, where austerity will become tighter," Mr Birnie said. "That suggests further public sector recruitment and investment may be constrained, placing the onus for growth on the private sector." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Builders' concern as recovery in sector slackenshttp://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/builders-concern-as-recovery-in-sector-slackens-30229056.html The pace of recovery for builders in Northern Ireland is slowing, spelling a bumpy road ahead for the construction sector, according to a body which represents the trade.Louise Ward, services and public affairs executive of the Federation of Master Builders in Northern Ireland, said: "The results of our latest trade survey indicate that the worst may finally be over, but the building trade in the province still has a long way to go. "We must not be complacent as consumer confidence is fragile and policymakers must do all they can to help stimulate growth in Northern Ireland." She added: "It is more important now than ever for the UK government to reduce Vat on housing renovation and repair to 5%. "Independent research from Experian shows that this cut could result in 558 extra jobs in the Northern Irish economy and a stimulus effect of £13m in 2015 alone." John Armstrong, managing director, Construction Employers Federation (CEF), said capital funding was needed to boost the construction sector. "We call on the Northern Ireland Executive to set out clearly how it will spend the £1.6bn of capital funding this year and to adopt the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) without any further delay. "We also appeal to the relevant ministers to unlock outdated planning agreements that are preventing private house building." The Northern Ireland Construction Bulletin, published earlier this month, revealed that construction output in the final quarter of 2013 decreased by 3.7% compared to the third quarter of 2013. This figure was 7.6% lower than the same quarter in 2012 and represented the lowest level of quarterly output seen this century. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27201737 Schrader Electronics creates 241 jobs in County Antrim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27185642 EY accountancy firm creating 486 jobs in BelfastThe annual average salaries of about £39,000 are among highest of any jobs creation project backed by Invest NI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Ballymena company Wrightbus creates 130 new jobs http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27369803 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 NI private sector recovery 'improved' in April http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27349248 In April, it showed the fastest rate of expansion in business activity and new orders since the survey began 12 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buyornot2buy Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Ballymena company Wrightbus creates 130 new jobs http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27369803 Great news. What are these £4,000 below the N.I. average? InvestNI screws up yet again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Great news. What are these £4,000 below the N.I. average? InvestNI screws up yet again. Moving from paying benefit for 130 people to receipt of PAYE & NI on £19k, not to mention the improvement to the economy that £2.5m in extra wages, pa will bring would suggest that this is actually a good thing. You are ofcourse entitled to differ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buyornot2buy Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 (edited) Moving from paying benefit for 130 people to receipt of PAYE & NI on £19k, not to mention the improvement to the economy that £2.5m in extra wages, pa will bring would suggest that this is actually a good thing. You are ofcourse entitled to differ. 2.5 million in extra wages? Did you remember to take into account the tax credit effect? Must take a look at the employment register and see how many agency workers the company employs. You thing Invest should be subsidising below average pay? I don't. You are of course entitled to differ. Edited May 12, 2014 by 2buyornot2buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 2.5 million in extra wages? Did you remember to take into account the tax credit effect? Must take a look at the employment register and see how many agency workers the company employs. You thing Invest should be subsidising below average pay? I don't. You are of course entitled to differ. it is an interesting approach to take - 'the Government should only support employment proposals that pay above the regional average pay'. I assume that is your position. Actually there is something to be said for your agreement on paper. However I can hear the howls of neglecting the young or manual workforce or basically the approximately (statistically) 50% who work for less than the average pay. Even as average pay rises, statistically 50% will always be employed in jobs that pay less than the average. Is it right to not support this 50%? I don’t think so. There is the argument that those on 'below average pay' deserve more government assistance than those above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buyornot2buy Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 it is an interesting approach to take - 'the Government should only support employment proposals that pay above the regional average pay'. I assume that is your position. Actually there is something to be said for your agreement on paper. However I can hear the howls of neglecting the young or manual workforce or basically the approximately (statistically) 50% who work for less than the average pay. Even as average pay rises, statistically 50% will always be employed in jobs that pay less than the average. Is it right to not support this 50%? I don’t think so. There is the argument that those on 'below average pay' deserve more government assistance than those above. The government already supports the below average group through wage top ups in the form of tax credits. I don't think they should be supporting at business who's employees are already supported through inwork benefits. It's a low average, perhaps a should replace "You thing Invest should be subsidising below average pay? I don't." with "you think invest should be supporting companies that offer low paid jobs that already need to be subsidised through the benefit system? I don't ". These also the fact that it's a boom and bust company. Not that long ago 30% of the workforce was made redundant. However that's another argument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 The government already supports the below average group through wage top ups in the form of tax credits. I don't think they should be supporting at business who's employees are already supported through inwork benefits. It's a low average, perhaps a should replace "You thing Invest should be subsidising below average pay? I don't." with "you think invest should be supporting companies that offer low paid jobs that already need to be subsidised through the benefit system? I don't ". These also the fact that it's a boom and bust company. Not that long ago 30% of the workforce was made redundant. However that's another argument. I support the increase in all employment, This obviously includes below average and above average employment. By its very nature you will always have half of the employment statistically above average pay and half below average pay. For example, I would support apprentice job schemes where young and not so young are given the necessary training and job experience required to master their skills/trade. Undoubtedly the majority of these would be blow average pay until they have reached their full experience. I am not sure if those on £19k attract tax credits etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buyornot2buy Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I support the increase in all employment, This obviously includes below average and above average employment. By its very nature you will always have half of the employment statistically above average pay and half below average pay. For example, I would support apprentice job schemes where young and not so young are given the necessary training and job experience required to master their skills/trade. Undoubtedly the majority of these would be blow average pay until they have reached their full experience. I am not sure if those on £19k attract tax credits etc. I thought I said I should have replaced below average with low pay? Take a look at the tables below, it's a real eye opener. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tax-credits-entitlement-tables-working-at-least-16-hours-and-paying-childcare/tax-credits-entitlement-tables-working-at-least-16-hours-and-paying-childcare I realise you support "all employment", including non-contributory employment. We've had the service industry debate, but not all employment provides a net contribution. And our LEAs (InvestNI) should NOT subsidise companies that do not. This does not create wealth, it creates state dependency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I thought I said I should have replaced below average with low pay? Take a look at the tables below, it's a real eye opener. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tax-credits-entitlement-tables-working-at-least-16-hours-and-paying-childcare/tax-credits-entitlement-tables-working-at-least-16-hours-and-paying-childcare I realise you support "all employment", including non-contributory employment. We've had the service industry debate, but not all employment provides a net contribution. And our LEAs (InvestNI) should NOT subsidise companies that do not. This does not create wealth, it creates state dependency. We are talking about 130 jobs paying £19k per an. I do not consider that 'low pay'. Below average yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buyornot2buy Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 We are talking about 130 jobs paying £19k per an. I do not consider that 'low pay'. Below average yes. We'll have to disagree on this one. I consider £310 per week after tax to be low pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrick01 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Some people on this site seems to have not ever experience how much unemployment destroys you. In my 20s i was unemployed for less than year but and would have done anything for a "low pay" job like this at that time - if I lost my job now I would somehow learn how to survive on £19k. It would be great if all manufacturing jobs would pay over £21k but we are in a world of globalisation - it ain't going happen. Not all investni jobs can be high paying IT and consultant jobs because not all the current Northern Ireland unemployed are skilled for these jobs. Not every person employed in these jobs are going to have a partner with 2 children both in childcare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buyornot2buy Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Some people on this site seems to have not ever experience how much unemployment destroys you. In my 20s i was unemployed for less than year but and would have done anything for a "low pay" job like this at that time - if I lost my job now I would somehow learn how to survive on £19k. It would be great if all manufacturing jobs would pay over £21k but we are in a world of globalisation - it ain't going happen. Not all investni jobs can be high paying IT and consultant jobs because not all the current Northern Ireland unemployed are skilled for these jobs. Not every person employed in these jobs are going to have a partner with 2 children both in childcare. So because there are plenty of people "desperate" enough to take low paid jobs our Enterprise Agency should use its limited resources to subsidise them? I don't think they should. Particularly not for a company that sacked twice as many people less than 5 years ago. If you are going to target companies with a jobs fund, it's obviously better to pick and choose ones that pay above average. Targeting companies that pay Tesco like wages isn't the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little fish Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 So because there are plenty of people "desperate" enough to take low paid jobs our Enterprise Agency should use its limited resources to subsidise them? I don't think they should. Particularly not for a company that sacked twice as many people less than 5 years ago. If you are going to target companies with a jobs fund, it's obviously better to pick and choose ones that pay above average. Targeting companies that pay Tesco like wages isn't the way to go. I agree completely. Can these even be seen as new jobs considering the previous pay offs? Surely some of these jobs will go back to the people who were previously laid off? Given our job climate I'm sure that some of them are still either unemployed, on zero hour or short term contracts else where. This means they are not even new jobs. Could be seen as just another way the government subsidizes companies wage bills. 19K is not a reasonable wage for any skilled job. Invest NI should prioritise highly skilled positions with average or above wages and if we don't have the skill set required for a particular company, then that company should be training to the required level in exchange for investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelfastVI Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Some people on this site seems to have not ever experience how much unemployment destroys you. In my 20s i was unemployed for less than year but and would have done anything for a "low pay" job like this at that time - if I lost my job now I would somehow learn how to survive on £19k. It would be great if all manufacturing jobs would pay over £21k but we are in a world of globalisation - it ain't going happen. Not all investni jobs can be high paying IT and consultant jobs because not all the current Northern Ireland unemployed are skilled for these jobs. Not every person employed in these jobs are going to have a partner with 2 children both in childcare. £19k was the average. Some would be higher and some lower. If my son came through his training as a welder or a fitter and walked into a £19k job I would be very happy. I know I entered employment as an engineer at well below the average income at the time and was very happy to get the job. As I progressed so did my income. The bulge in the unemployment numbers in is the 18 to 24 age group. Basically your first job, and this, in my view is where we need the jobs at the moment. I don't think everyone can hope to enter employment at or above the average income. You generally hope to work your way up to that and if fortunate (to have the necessary ability) exceed it. An accountancy firm recently announced a few hundred new jobs at £38k, but these will be for professionals with 3rd level degrees and perhaps 10 years experience. These jobs are also in the engineering and mainly export business. these are areas where we need to be supporting. The company can only offer jobs when it wins orders and contracts for busses. It competes on the international market for these contracts and must be competitive. Yes they had to reduce its workforce [5] years ago due to a loss or orders. they had to make people redundant which was a disaster for those people and the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrick01 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 If some people think that any person that takes a job paying £19k are desperate then they are entitled to have that opinion. This year there was 1000 people that applied for 30 restaurant jobs (zero hours?, part time?, low paid?). Again have a read of this http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/shocking-new-report-by-princes-trust-shines-light-on-link-with-youth-unemployment-and-depression-29882411.html There was job losses at the firm a number of years but I think a lot of firms had a few problems at the same time. Think there was some kind problem in the world economy. They seem to have increasing their employment by 150 in the last year http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/top-100-companies/company-list/38-wrightbus-29216324.html The "Enterprise Agency" has limited resources but I think in the last 2 years it has handed back £40m. Don't think there is 100s of firms trying to invest just yet. When there is we can start insisting on high pay jobs but I don't think there will be many manufacturer jobs if we do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Belfast the home of worst traffic jams in UKhttp://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/belfast-the-home-of-worst-traffic-jams-in-uk-survey-30323070.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotoflight Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Corporation Tax: Northern Ireland is walking into a disaster of its own makinghttp://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/corporation-tax-northern-ireland-is-walking-into-a-disaster-of-its-own-making-30327024.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2buyornot2buy Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 This seems to confirm what I've been saying for a while. Dole office workers encouraging people to go self-employed, avoid signing on and getting significantly more money from tax credit benefits that JSA. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27794139 Service sector down a massive 1.1%. Still good to see manufacturing jobs up. Public sector only down 120? The recruitment freeze that never happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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