Mar152017

It is deeply concerning that millions remain in low paid, insecure work – Debbie Abrahams

HM Government
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Debbie Abrahams MP, Shadow Work and
Pensions Secretary, commenting
on today’s Labour Market Statistics, said:

“We welcome the overall increase in
employment, but are deeply concerned that millions remain in low paid, insecure
work.

“The Government has also failed to close
the employment gap faced by women, disabled people and ethnic minority groups,
who are all less likely to be in work.  

“Working families face the increasing
costs of basic essentials, stagnating wages and the Government slashing social
security, leaving families £1,400 a year worse off up to 2020.

“Labour would reverse cuts to in-work
support that could see working families lose £2,600 a year, ban the
exploitative zero-hours contracts being used on hundreds of thousands of
workers, and guarantee a real Living Wage.”

Mar152017

The Government is recklessly talking up the idea of crashing out of the EU with no deal – Keir Starmer

Labour
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Keir
Starmer MP, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, responding to David Davis’ admission that the Government has not carried
out an assessment of the economic impact of leaving the EU without a deal, said:

“The
Government is recklessly talking up the idea of crashing out of the EU with no
deal. They have repeated the mantra that ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’.

“But
we now know they have made no assessment of the economic impact of the Prime
Minister failing to secure a deal.

“What’s
clear, from the CBI and others, is that there is no result that would be worse
for the British economy than leaving with no deal; no deal would be the worst
possible deal. The Government should rule out this dangerous and
counter-productive threat before Article 50 is triggered.”

Mar152017

BCC comments on labour market statistics for March 2017

HM Government
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Head of Economics, Suren Thiru, comments on the labour market statistics published today.

15th March 2017

Commenting on the labour market statistics for March 2017, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The UK’s jobs market is going from strength to strength, with the number of people in work continuing to rise and unemployment also falling.

“UK labour market conditions may cool over the next few years as the expected slowdown in growth and the rising burden of upfront business costs stifle firms’ hiring intentions. That said, we expect that the UK unemployment rate will reach a peak of 5.3% next year, still some way below the historical average.

“However, average pay growth continues to slow, and it appears increasingly likely that inflation will outstrip earnings growth in the coming months, which will put further pressure on consumer’s spending power.

“With Article 50 set to be triggered shortly, it is vital that more is done to provide greater clarity and stability for firms, including certainty on the residence rights of their existing EU workers, and clarity on the regime for hiring from EU countries during the negotiation period. Further action is also needed to ease the burden of upfront costs and taxes of doing business in the UK, which limit companies’ ability to invest and grow.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

Media contacts:

Allan Williams – Senior Press Manager

020 7654 5812 / 07920583381

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812

Mar152017

Consultation outcome: Bathing waters: designation of Manor Steps beach, Bournemouth

DEFRA
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Updated: Updated with the summary of responses and the decision to designate this beach as a bathing water.

We want to know what you think about a proposal to designate Manor Steps beach, Bournemouth, as a bathing water under the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC). This proposal follows an application we have received from Bournemouth Borough Council.

We have published evidence of facilities and usage at the site. You can also read the criteria for designation and de-designation of bathing waters.

This consultation will be of interest to the recreation sector, leisure and tourism industries, beach users, environmental campaigners and families.

Mar152017

Consultation outcome: Bathing waters: designating 8 beaches in Cornwall

DEFRA
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Updated: Summary of responses added and decision made to designate the 8 beaches (Booby’s Bay, Fistral South, Godrevy Towans, Gwynver, Mexico Towans, Northcott Mouth, Tregonhawke, Upton Towans) as bathing waters.

We want to know what you think about a proposal to designate eight beaches in Cornwall as bathing waters under the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC). This follows an application we have received from Cornwall Council. The beaches being considered are:

  • Booby’s Bay, near St Merryn
  • Godrevy, The Towans, Hayle
  • Gwynver, Whitesand Bay
  • Northcott Mouth, near Bude
  • South Fistral, Newquay
  • Mexico Towan, Hayle
  • Tregonhawke, Whitsand Bay
  • Upton Towan, Hayle

We have published evidence of facilities and usage at each site. You can also read the criteria for designation and de-designation of bathing waters.

This consultation will be of interest to the recreation sector, leisure and tourism industries, beach users, environmental campaigners and families.