Tag Archives: Job

TGLP deliver a presentation at London Employment and Skills Convention

Posted on by

Thames Gateway London Partnership’s Chief Executive Ros Dunn delivered a presentation, in conjunction with Peabody Housing Association, entitled ‘How will changes in Housing Benefit affect out of work Londoners?’ at London’s Employment and Skills Convention on Monday (23 May 2011.)

The presentation focussed on the adverse affects of housing benefits on existing claimants which will force many  to seek cheaper accomodation in outer London, where there is traditionally a lack of availability of jobs and increased cost of employment costs due to transport prices. TGLP argues that such obstacles put in place by changes to the housing benefit will ultimately act as a deterrent to work.

To see the presentation in full please click TGLP London Employment and Skills

Open Letter to the Evening Standard

Posted on by

The Evening Standard’s report revealing the new economic divide in London (31st January ‘East London hardest hit by job cuts’) serves as a timely reminder of the importance of continued support for residents and businesses in east London.

Your report highlighted a disproportionate rise in the unemployment claimant count in East London, both north and south of the river, when compared to the rest of the capital. This demonstrates how crucial it is that there is a balanced economy right across the capital and that areas within the London Thames Gateway do not become ‘forgotten boroughs’ as the Government moves to drive private sector growth and insulate against public sector job losses.

There is real concern that measures to promote growth do not take into account the diverse range of economic circumstances experienced across the London Thames Gateway.  For example, London and the South East has been left out of a measure which will see employers given a ‘holiday’ from National Insurance Contributions in order to offset the loss of public sector jobs.  This is despite the fact that up to a third of jobs in some areas of the London Thames Gateway are in the public sector – a figure significantly higher than the national average.

Since Michael Heseltine first recognised the enormous potential of the Thames Gateway, we have experienced significant regeneration and become a major centre for retail and finance as well as hosts to the Olympic Games in 2012.  But the job is not yet done, and high deprivation levels and growing unemployment demonstrate why East London must remain at the front and centre of initiatives to promote growth.

It is vital the UK has a balanced economy with funding and opportunities for growth in all areas of the country, but it is also vital that London continues to create the wealth that helps support the rest of the country.  That is why East London cannot be left alone to tackle these challenging economic circumstances.

Signed

Cllr Michael White – Leader, London Borough of Havering (Conservative) and Vice Chair, Thames Gateway London Partnership

Ros Dunn – Chief Executive, Thames Gateway London Partnership

Roger Evans AM – London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge (Conservative)

John Biggs AM – London Assembly Member for City and East (Labour)

BT Apprenticeship Scheme hits 50th Anniversary

Posted on by

This national apprenticeship week see’s the 50th anniversary of the BT apprenticeship scheme. The scheme has successfully placed some 1,400 apprentices across the UK in the last five years alone. The scheme is recognised within industry as one of best in the country, and regularly works with other companies and learning providers to share expertise.

The scheme is continuing to recruit apprentices in and around London, and still has some vacancies in its current round of recruitment, which runs for another two weeks. BT’s current focus is on recruiting an additional 250 apprentices across the UK, including around 100 in London, to become fully-qualified Openreach customer service engineers supporting the roll-out of super-fast broadband. This time round, applicants will need to hold a minimum of five GCSEs (grades A to C, including Maths and English Language) and a UK manual driving licence. If you would like to register your interest please go to http://www.bt4me.co.uk/.

The current recruitment round will finish later this month, however BT anticipate starting another round in the Spring and anyone already registered that meets the minimum entry requirements will be reconsidered then if they are not recruited in the current cohort. The next round will include apprenticeships that do not specify a driving licence as part of the entry requirement. We fully encourage potential applicants to apply whilst the vacancies are still open.