CV Trumpet - Latest Comments

Re: Job Market, June 2011

Janhorner58 — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 05:39:36 -0000

Let's hope the trend continues there are so many people desperate for work.

Re: Is The UK Job Market Improving?

Habre — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 02:43:16 -0000

I guess the growth in jobs will soon run out of steam as gov't cuts in its sectors will force an influx of the public servants into the job searching mechanism that will overwhelmingly go down as opposed to an increase in Q2 of 2011.

Re: Is The UK Job Market Improving?

Vic Ellis — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:10:14 -0000

I have been looking for freelance work as a senior commercial manager / quantity surveyor / related posts for the last 4 weeks and finding that there are few opportunities in the south east. This is worse than 18 months ago.

Re: Is The UK Job Market Improving?

Rogerstocks — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:35:13 -0000

I think that it would be naive to assume that the job market is showing any signs of improvement, on the contrary there appears to be an ongoing downward trend (particulalrly in the Midlands and North). The current cuts have decimated both public and private sector posts and there is no confidence in current policies having any impact to reverse the trend.

Re: Is The UK Job Market Improving?

Vj — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:30:07 -0000

I would like to know whether these positive statistics are from all over the UK or just London? The picture in the Northeast is very bleak. Cuts in public sector is still on the rise and there are not many jobs in the private sector. Still finding it hard to find a proper job!

Re: CV Font

Aasd — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:28:42 -0000

i agree

Re: Employment Policy

MicheleJ — Thu, 06 May 2010 07:58:12 -0000

Myopic... You forget that British people, particularly those with education and GCSEs and A levels and university degrees, are going to other countries in Europe too: France, Germany, The Netherlands... You see the UK as the centre of the world and so UNIQUE that there is nothing to be gained for your children to go and work in another country too... and as if it didn't bring opportunities to them to.. in some way.. Rethink the issues in the bigger picture..

Re: Employment Policy

Brian — Thu, 06 May 2010 07:41:24 -0000

I think you are making a pitch on behalf of the conservative policy on NI. While this may seem a good idea it has a down side because the money that the NI increase might provide the government will have to be found by other means - possibly public sector cuts which is not just less civil servants but also private sector gov contracts (efficiency savings is a sterile argument in my view). This will be detrimental to jobs in a more direct way. I also think that the liberal policy of scrapping the penison age will help job opportunities for the older worker. Immigration is a red herring - the company I work for offshores uk jobs for the same reason that immigrants are allowed here ie provision of cheap labour.

Re: Employment Policy

MicheleJ — Thu, 06 May 2010 07:23:07 -0000

None of the candidates are addressing the depth of the issues that we face at all.

We have a deficit which is the historical result of 30 years of policy. We have to look back as far as Mrs Tatcher's government and the Banking Act of the mid-80s which deregulated financial services and the wave of privatisation, the incredible growth of the City of London as a driver of the British economy (i.e. financial services). 'New Labour', just rode the wave without addressing its potential consequences. We are in a 'bad space' because neither Labour but potentially worse with the Conservative (!!).. and unknown, inexperienced Lib Dems. A mess.

So, we need to get a bit more ruthless here.

1) Introduce county-by-country reporting for multinational corporations for transparency and tax them at source of their activities: in other words, abolish tax havens. This could also bring very well needed revenues to developing countries.

2) Non-Doms... change the legislation, all the off-shelf companies... we need to clean up anything to do with 'tax havens'.

This potentially can bring a substantial amount back into the public purse.

3) People need a living wage.... and it may be that some different level of weighting can be introduced across the country.

4) I would support some of the tax reform by the Lib Dem - the basic personal allowance has to be increased for low income people, I would say up to £12,000. People need to put a roof over their head, eat, look after children! Women are particularly affected and still kept in the poverty trap. Employees who are totally stressed trying to survive and made ends meet ............ cannot make productive, focused people at work.. they try but .............

5) So, national insurance contribution .. not for Small and Medium Size Businesses... and effectively we need (as suggested) to sort out the tax and redistribution process overall.... But the problem here, is that the Conservatives will NOT take some pretty basic radical measures on the suggestions made in 1) and 2) here !!!! So.... I believe that we are heading for serious trouble with the conservatives that will not serve businesses in the long run: pressured poor people, low paid worker = social unrest..... lots more... = costs... stressed social and economic environment.

6) Europe... let's be realistic about the world.. People are brainwashed into 'myopic' thinking and very much manipulated, not given the ability to think within the 'bigger picture'.. so if giving a 'right' to people to express their views on Europe becomes the source of exploiting nationalistic, petty visions to manipulate particular political and economic ends that serves specific categories of the population (!).. this is not going to be beneficial.... for the majority of people which is what democracy should be about.. the 'collective' interests for the MAJORITY of people.

7) Welfare........ Jobs.......... I am highly qualified, Doctorate in Science and Technology Policy, MSc in Strategic and Innovation Management, 12 years a working lone parent .. so I have experience as a fixed-term contract researcher in universities... I am now in the rank of the long term unemployed at 55. I want to work, I am so proactive seeking work, willing to make a career transition, use transferable knowledge and skills.... I have been referred to a Flexible New Deal provider... the move is useless. I just sign on at Job Centre Plus and at Flexible New Deal... they have nothing to offer. I continue to manage and drive my job searches... Nothing to offer. This famous scheme (FND) has been subcontracted at an enormous cost to private providers ..........So.. educated, skilled people seeking work find it impossible (I work hard at it!!) to return to work. Each of the candidates running have quite reactionary views on the matter. But let's face it, we have a problem: a) we need jobs b) we need employers willing to take on people to reinsert them into work including professional work, willing to support career transition... c) we need to overcome prejudice, age, gender and more. If people like me cannot get back to work and are facing long term unemployment, how will we deal with changes in 'retirement'.

8) So let me put something else to you... The policy on 'retirement'... Pushing the age of retirement seems incongruous.. it is the 'dog chasing' its tail !! Does this mean that people like me will be kept looking for jobs, sinking in poverty (because I am back in the poverty trap after getting out of it as a single parent who worked hard!!!) with even less benefits.. we cannot send up all to stack shelves at Tesco.. and WHY on earth would you want to do that with people who have a lot more to offer to the community and society....

9) Let me suggest that we have a much deeper challenge to face. One of rethinking the FUNDAMENTAL VALUES underpinning our social and economic activities, those that drive our choices in economic organisation and purpose.

We face 'Limits to Growth'... can we create an economy viable sustainable without growth? What would it be like, what should be done...
What values do we need to put at the forefront of our individual and community lives, of our current 'business' life.

Immigration is a problem with poverty... Let's tackle 1) and may be this could help reduce poverty at source... people don't want to leave 'home'... they are escaping poverty.
...............

and I could go on.......................................... This election is a shamble because people do not want to face reality.. we are playing games, we are lacking honesty and foresight....

Re: Employment Policy

MicheleJ — Thu, 06 May 2010 06:25:33 -0000

We are not addressing the bottom line.
The banking system is failing (repeatedly).. it has become a casino, a dangerous casino that also controls decisions on actions for defaults on debts.. So... terms and conditions of what happens in Greece for example.

The deficit comes out of this mess... long brewing since 1979 coming into power of Tatcher, the deregulation of financial institutions (Banking acts in the mid-80s)... and a massive privatisation of public services and particularly infrastructure (Energy, transport and Telecoms...etc), which we are ending up subsidising now.. but which has generated a huge amount of wealth for the FEW... i.e. don't be deluded about the democratisation of capitalism through shareholding!! It is major financial institutions, and a privilege very small section of the population who have benefited.... Now we pick up the bill of all the delusions and the irresponsible behaviour generated...............

So... who should pay and how should we tackle this.

Well.. 1) introduce country-by-country reporting for ALL multinational corporations for transparency and tax at source..2) in other words abolish Tax Havens and collect tax at source !!, 3) change the law about Non-Dom and TAX; this in itself would collect a huge amount ... a conservative estimate would be £25bn into the public coffers...
4) PROBLEM.. now we are picking up the bills SUBSIDIZING transport (e.g. private companies running public services).. so the public is paying Twice.... e.g. £4000 to commute to London for work.. and then through their taxes!!!.. SO... We need a serious corporate governance rethink for public service companies that should be NOT-For-Profit for a start.. and there the style of governance is something that needs to be worked out.
5) People are stuck in the poverty trap on benefit because of the cost of living and lack of JOBS...We need a living wage! A real living wage and this may imply different level weighting across the country........ In addition as the Lib Dem actually attempt to do, the personal allowance should be increased and in fact realistically to £12,000 for a single person... people have to be able to put a roof over their heads and EAT. So introducing a tax of 50% for those earning £100,000 over... YEs.... 6) The illusion about unemployed people.. I am unemployed.. I am highly qualified Doctorate in Science and Technology Policy, MSc in Strategic and Innovation Management and 10 years work experience as a fixed-term contract researcher in universities and some consultancy experience... also a woman lone parent for 12 years!!.... I cannot get work.. I have been unemployed for over 12 months and I WANT TO WORK..... Where are the jobs and what are EMPLOYERS DOING TO REINTEGRATE THE UNEMPLOYED INTO THE WORKFORCE???? So no point 'witch-hunting' the benefit claimants, and being reactionary.. THINK, and be honest and work with people!!! 7) Scrap trident and rethink defense strategy because in any case, ONE nuclear bomb going off will get most of us .... 8) Immigration and population growth is an issue for the world at large.. but the UK being an Island it is important to be realistic.. Reducing poverty at source (e.g. less corruption, having multinationals paying tax at source..etc. could help.. and it is a process to rethink the future of the earth and its inhabitants literally... 'Limits to Growth'.... So here there is a 'global challenge', ideological challenge, economic and political international challenge as well as 'local measures' which I think realistically need to include some realisation that the situation on immigration needs to be reviewed.. But there I am an EU National living in the UK for 25 years... I have contributed, I want to contribute.. it is home... I think that honesty (rather than exploitative economic interest) needs to prevail and a workable management of immigration put in place. 9) finally, let's not be ridiculously about the EU... look at the future, we have to be Europeans, and engaged but not in a myopic, nationalistic manner. It doesn't help anybody. and this is what The Tories would do.. appeal to the nationalistic, narrow-minded analysis, rather than a more in depth, complex understanding of the issues at hand .. so people will be brainwashed.. into limited thinking.... and the media will play their part!!!

Re: Employment Policy

John B H — Thu, 06 May 2010 05:51:07 -0000

Labour Have Failed. Go here to find out why:

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Re: Employment Policy

chris wheatley — Thu, 06 May 2010 04:48:13 -0000

What about the Party that really matters the Liberal Democrats?
Your comments plse?..There are three main parties in Britain now not just the Tory 1 and the Tory look alike!!!The Tories will raise VAT by a hefty amount in they Win in theri first budget.?!

Re: Employment Policy

Bruno de Comarmond — Thu, 06 May 2010 04:06:10 -0000

Critically comments have NOT included the fact that the LibDems will not apply any tax for the first £10k in earnings which will benefit loads of people.
Additionally, no mention is made regarding tax credits?

Re: Employment Policy

kate — Mon, 03 May 2010 10:05:10 -0000

I found your comment quite entertaining. However, 14 mortgages!! Well I lost almost everything due to Labour so count yourself lucky that you have 14 mortgages. Sounds to me as though you are one of the rich about which you speak!

Re: Employment Policy

kate — Mon, 03 May 2010 09:58:28 -0000

Absolutely agree with you Mary. Do you know where they found a large batch of these so-called Managers? They found them by upgrading medical secretaries to these positions - I know because my sister in law is one of them. So qualified aren't they!! Her salary doubled and then trebled due to this.. Finally, about bullying! I know exactly what you mean because I was bullied by a Manager who prevented me from speaking to him prior being taken to intensive care - well I never spoke to him again!!

Re: Employment Policy

shilo1974 — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:31:59 -0000

Firstly I think that this discussion page is some what biased towards the conservatives. Many of us are indeed undecided therefore it would be useful if the forum moderator could keep things simple by giving a balanced view on all the party's policies without commenting.

I can only speak for myself but labour steered us through the worst economic crisis in modern times, yes this in some part may be attributed to fighting two wars but I believe that irrespective of which government was in power we would have done things exactly the same. America are our allies and we had a moral duty to stand by them (we would not have won WW2 without them) That aside extremists in afghanistan pose a serious threat, although admittedly the war in Iraq was suspect. Personally I believe it was to do with oil, which at the end of the day we in the west rely on. The fact that Saddam ran an oppressive regime, helped us to justify our invasion even though there were no weapons of mass destruction. Should we have gone to Iraq? I don't think so but we did and we have liberated the people well almost. and besides I believe that we will see dividends i.e cheaper fuel in the near future.

My point is that David Cameron would have made the same call as Tony Blair. The Americans lead and we follow. That's how it has always been and If Tony, who is an intelligent guy had the guts to tell George W, listen mate this aint a good idea, things would have been different.
The economy became shot to pieces due to the lacks attitude of American and British bankers gambling with our money on risky business ventures and lending relentlessy to anyone with a debit card. That's not the government's fault. It's ours, we should not have borrowed what we couldn't afford.

I have 14 mortagages and it was easy peesy if you knew how. I was on course to losing everything and by rights the banks should have waited until they saw returns on my investments before continuing to lend. However, suddenly interest rates started to tumble and now the rate for motgages is 0.5%! I was paying 7p a month on one of my mortgages for a year!
Under a tory government my business would be at an end.

thousands of us are home owners, If the torys get in how are they going to award savers as they have pledged? By increasing interest rates meaning those with a million in the bank will be laughing all the way back to the bank.

Many of us are to young to remenber what the tory's did to this country. MRSA in my opinion is a legacy of the Tory obsession of privatising every british institution, Cleaning in Hospitals are run by private firms with unskilled and untrained personnell who used mops from the toilet to clean wards. British Rail which was reliable and cheap and has now been replaced by money grabbing coporations.

Who introduced VAT, and council tax? (Poll tax) The Torys!

Personally if I am honest I think that it benefits me to stick with labour purely because interest rates are low, however thay have made some blunders. Perhaps we do need real change and the only way to do that is to vote Lib Dem. We do not want to return to the bad old days of a Tory government, whose main concern is to keep the rich, rich.

I am torn between Labour and the lib Dems simply because the Libs have some good ideas, but labour have done well to keep us afloat
and are offering really good incentives to our young to get a guranteed job.

I am 36 years old and have only ever voted once before. I would urge people to check out what each party is offering and choosed based on what will beneit you personally. Don't listen to bias but follow your own convictions.

Re: Employment Policy

kathleen buchler — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:51:21 -0000

Without stemming the tide from the EU, our countryman do not stand a chance of improving employment possibilities for them. A points system is not enough. When you find that a 21 year old girl with O levels and three straight A's applies for 200 jobs or so and commits suicide because there is nothing out there for her, you have to wonder why? Answer: because the posts that might have been available have been taken up by europeans. We should all be worrying about how our own children will obtain jobs - nevermind anything else. If you can't earn an income you have two choices a) migrate yourself (probably what the government hopes we will do) which means if you have children they will end up abroad and you might have difficulty visiting them, particularly when you are older or b) go on the dole. Not a very optimistic future for the UK citizens is it????

Re: Employment Policy

frederickthompson — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:12:59 -0000

It seems to appear that the Conservatives - if they remain true to David Cameron's pledges - would be the best Party for getting Britain 'BACK-ON-TRACK' , and have the right ideas to aid the economy, business, and assisting the unemployed to get back to work, whilst protecting existing jobs.

Re: Employment Policy

mililewis — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 09:24:10 -0000

I just hope we don't end up with the problem of a 'well-hung' parliment as feared by one BBC reporter on This Week. With the growing numbers of people requiring care in the NHS and in the older population the need for care services' increasing, it makes no sense to reduce overall numbers - but it makes huge sense to improve efficiency so that you can do more with less. Also need to look at what the priorities in these areas are going to be in the future (trends) and start preventation/preparation now, otherwise in continuous catch-up: costly and inefficient. 1 week is a long time in politics, hence no long term investment is popular, they may be out of power when the gains come in or the problems come into sharp-focus. Stop scoring points against each other, start scoring points for UK plc. As for Nick Clegg as king maker - so heavy a mantle of responsibility (deciding who will be PM AND leader of the Labour party!) on such slim shoulders.... he'll need Gordon to carry the huge train!

Re: Employment Policy

VJ Lal — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 08:22:27 -0000

Excessive state spending with an overgenerous welfare system = unmotivated population.

Re: Employment Policy

aoalalade — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 08:10:17 -0000

It's really surprising to see that non of the parties shows serious concern about the standard of moral decadence in schools in the UK. It is a matter of time that public schools will soon go into extinction for lack of teachers to stand this. All above are easier said than done. If we vote a new party thinking of a better performance we err. A tree does not make a forest. The problem here is not caused by immigrants as all of the parties are saying. They should look around for probable cause or causes of their woes. Human government cannot be impeccable.

Re: Employment Policy

antheagraham — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:59:03 -0000

I agree with the comments before - Labour have ruined the economy and put
jobs at risk... we need that change NOW

Re: Employment Policy

alliedprawn — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:40:02 -0000

Remember the 60's Remember the 70's? Remember the 80's? Remember the 90s?.
Lets not beat about the bush...each party has had its chances to impress...each time we have all been left wondering why we voted for them in the first place!
The Thatcher and John Major Years...NO NO Please NO! not again...the rich ran away with the money and the country was left with an appauling infra -structure! Industry sold off to foreign investors...The Miners strike!.. SCHOOL MILK abolished! down trodden working people and "LOADSA MONEY!" RICH.. Recession... 3 million unemployed.. Run down public services.. Black Wednesday and so on !
70's ...Harold Wilson Labour. Ted Heath TORY, (Hello Sailor!) Harold Wilson Again!!..Jim Callaghan LABOUR...Flat caps, 3 day weeks...union strikes, THE POUND IN YOUR POCKET! powercuts, Northern Ireland... each Government undoing what the other had done up! IN OUT IN OUT!

Tony Blair.. and Gordon Brown....was there hope?... It all started so well..
AT LAST!...wait a minute...War in Iraq, War in Afghanistan, House Prices too high for people to afford...ONLY THE RICH !..Spend Spend...Lets get the infrastructure back on its feet Invest in..Hospitals, Roads, Rail! Booming Credit... MP's Expenses...disgusting!
Corrupt banks... Living beyond our means...GLOBAL RECESSION. BANKRUPT. BUST!. unemployed 2.5 million and rising.... country unable to cope with an ever growing welfare state, Booming immigration...

So you see as a 50 year old I am beginning to wonder if its worth it at all!

The two main party's arguing the "same old toss"...the "same old rubbish".....
The same old Cr*p!
The Party first...the people last.... What did Peter Kaye say.
Book up, Pack up, and F*** Off!

I just may vote Liberal Democrat...
My only wish is that the swing to centre politics will be be big enough to totally knock the other two party's off their perch!
YEH YEH ! But I'm dreaming I know! ...now it looks like a Hung Government...Lets face it that is what should happen to most of them!

Step Down Mr Cameron...Step Down Mr Brown...let Nick have a go...
Lets face it he can't do much worse.!

Re: Employment Policy

Mary Sullivan — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 06:50:09 -0000

What about the war was it our place to join forces with the Americans no we wasted billions of money and lives sending our boys out to fights. Labour again Blair sent the troops out without proper protection and they died for their country what a waste.

Re: Employment Policy

Mary Sullivan — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 06:47:43 -0000

The government should not be running the nhs just be there for advice. As I said before the government will lay down policies that can be dangerous to patient care so that they can sanction hospitals. What do the government know about running hospitals not alot in my view it should be healthcare professionals senior not simply managers earning loads of money. When I started nursing we did not have managers just medical staff and we seemed to be okay.