45,000 visas for seasonal workers will be available for businesses next year, providing a boost for the UK’s horticulture industry.

The allocation will allow businesses to recruit foreign workers to come to the UK for up to six months through the Seasonal Worker visa route – an uplift of 15,000 compared to what was available to businesses at the start of 2022.

This number will be kept under review with the potential to increase by a further 10,000 if necessary, and contingent on sponsors and growers improving and abiding by to worker welfare standards, including ensuring workers are guaranteed a minimum number of paid hours each week.

 

Read more here.

From 1 August 2023, there will no longer be a standalone national traineeships programme. Traineeships can continue to be offered as part of our general skills offer. The last start date for traineeships under the current programme is 31 July 2023. Training providers can advise on timeframes on traineeship start dates. This is part of the Government’s commitment to providing a comprehensive and clear skills
offer for employers and individuals so will be integrating the Traineeship programme into 16-
19 study programme and adult education provision from 1 August 2023. Integrating Traineeships into general provision means the Department for Education will no longer fund the delivery of Traineeships through a standalone national programme. All the elements of the Traineeship programme – English and maths, work experience, employability and occupational skills, and qualifications – will continue to be funded for 16–19-year-olds as part of the national 16-19 study programme, and for adults through the adult education budget. This means that providers with access to funding can choose to continue to offer Traineeship programmes for young people who need support to get into work, apprenticeships, or further learning.

 

Read more here.

This is a comprehensive overview of the latest statistics on youth unemployment in the UK as well
as comparisons with other EU countries.

The research paper explores trends, and comparisons, both economic activity, and inactivity. It also
looks at education status:

Did you know
*The youth unemployment rate 16–24-year-olds for men is 13.3% and 7.6% for women?

And
*The inactivity rate for 16-24 years olds is 39.9%.

 

Read more here.

A Government-backed loan will facilitate investments into Essex and Merseyside supporting thousands of local jobs. The loan will help Ford to increase its electric vehicle range; Ford has doubled its commitment to the UJ as its European hub for electric vehicle powertrain production. The investment is part of the Governments plans to put the UK at the forefront of electric car development in Europe as the country transitions to net zero.

Read more here.

Thousands of training courses will be rolled out across England to grow a skilled workforce of heat pump and energy efficiency installers, as the government announces winners of the Home Decarbonisation Skills Training competition.

Shining a light on the huge scope for economic growth and job creation in the green energy sector, the £9.2 million funding will offer free and heavily subsidised training opportunities for installers of clean heating and energy efficiency measures.

The funding will see training providers deliver 8,900 courses at accredited centres across England for prospective heat pump and energy efficiency installers.

Read more here.

Proposed changes will enable workers to make flexible working the default. Millions of employees will receive day one right to request flexible working, empowering workers to have a greater say over when, where, and how they work. Businesses set to benefit from higher productivity and staff retention as a result.

Around 1.5 million low-paid workers will be given even more flexibility, with new law coming into force to remove exclusivity clause restrictions, allowing them to work for multiple employers if they wish.

Read more here.

Employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme. 

The Disability Confident scheme aims to help employers make the most of the opportunities
provided by employing disabled people. It is a voluntary scheme with 3 different levels an
employer can commit to.

The link gives you a list of all employers committed to the scheme.
You can share the link with your employers – it is free to sign up and to use the guidance.

Read more here.

The North East has been selected as the location for a major tourism project which aims to attract more investment, welcome more sporting, business and cultural events, support business growth, create new jobs, and boost domestic and international tourist numbers.

As part of plans to overhaul the current system, Newcastle Gateshead Initiative in the North East has been selected to lead a pilot in partnership with Visit Northumberland and Visit County Durham working across seven local authority areas. The partnership will receive £2.25 million to help successfully develop and market the region as a must-visit destination while attracting further private investment and driving growth.

The aim of the partnership model is to extend the tourism season and attract more visitors from across the UK and abroad through initiatives such as the creation of Tour de Yorkshire, following the Tour de France stage in Yorkshire back in 2015, or the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.

Read more here.

An announcement from the SoS for Scotland – funding to expand processing facilities for popular British fish like Scottish salmon, mackerel and herring are some of the projects which will modernise infrastructure across the UK seafood sector following a 20 million Government investment.

The UK Seafood Fund is a landmark government investment supporting the long-term future and sustainability of the UK fishing and seafood industry, with the infrastructure strand of the Fund helping to pay for upgrades to ports, processing, and aquaculture facilities so they can meet future demand whilst also boosting jobs and economic growth.

Read more here.

The Autumn statement this year delivered tough choices as the cost-of-living crisis continues.

• New forecasts point to unemployment rising by 500,000.
• A swing from announcing the biggest tax cuts in 50 years to implementing biggest fiscal tightening since 2010 in a matter of weeks.
• Average disposable incomes are forecast to fall by 7.1% over this year; equivalent to £1,700.
• Economic output will not return to its pre-pandemic level until Q4 2023, according to forecasts.

Read more here.