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26/01/2009
Belfast's 'Red Alert' On Job Losses Exposed
As extra staff are being recruited to handle larger numbers of people 'signing-on' as unemployed, Belfast has been picked out by an important independent research consultancy as being at high risk of suffering further extensive job losses in 2009.
Centre for Cities has just released a new report that reveals the several UK cities most exposed to recession - and least well placed to ride out job losses and business closures over the coming months.
Cities on 'red alert' are Belfast and Liverpool, as well as Hull - where there are already high numbers with no qualifications which means they could be more exposed to recession.
The report also said that nearly a quarter of Belfast's working population and over a fifth in Hull have no formal qualifications - making recovery more difficult.
Meanwhile, cities on 'amber alert' include Bristol, London and Edinburgh - although they each have strengths and weaknesses.
They are better placed to weather the economic storm - with stronger employment rates, diverse industries and highly skilled populations.
Dermot Finch, Director of the Centre for Cities, said: "UK cities will be hit harder than they think by this recession.
"Nearly all say they are well-placed to weather the storm - but they can't all be right. The recession will hit our cities in different ways - and some will be hit worse than others," he said.
In associated news, NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has just announced plans to recruit 150 new staff to the Social Security Agency.
This is a direct result of the economic downturn, with many more people claiming benefits.
Most of the new staff will be posted to the 'front line' Jobs & Benefits Offices with some working in the new Employment & Support Allowance Centre.
Margaret Ritchie said: "This is a proactive response to the current difficult economic situation. By recruiting extra staff into the front line, we will ensure customers continue to receive the best possible service."
See: www.centreforcities.org
(BMcC/JM)
Centre for Cities has just released a new report that reveals the several UK cities most exposed to recession - and least well placed to ride out job losses and business closures over the coming months.
Cities on 'red alert' are Belfast and Liverpool, as well as Hull - where there are already high numbers with no qualifications which means they could be more exposed to recession.
The report also said that nearly a quarter of Belfast's working population and over a fifth in Hull have no formal qualifications - making recovery more difficult.
Meanwhile, cities on 'amber alert' include Bristol, London and Edinburgh - although they each have strengths and weaknesses.
They are better placed to weather the economic storm - with stronger employment rates, diverse industries and highly skilled populations.
Dermot Finch, Director of the Centre for Cities, said: "UK cities will be hit harder than they think by this recession.
"Nearly all say they are well-placed to weather the storm - but they can't all be right. The recession will hit our cities in different ways - and some will be hit worse than others," he said.
In associated news, NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has just announced plans to recruit 150 new staff to the Social Security Agency.
This is a direct result of the economic downturn, with many more people claiming benefits.
Most of the new staff will be posted to the 'front line' Jobs & Benefits Offices with some working in the new Employment & Support Allowance Centre.
Margaret Ritchie said: "This is a proactive response to the current difficult economic situation. By recruiting extra staff into the front line, we will ensure customers continue to receive the best possible service."
See: www.centreforcities.org
(BMcC/JM)
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Local BT Workers Escape Cuts
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It has been revealed that excellent profits for BT's operation locally will mean no major job cuts for NI staff. The telecom giant as a whole announced losses of £134m and said it planned to cut 15,000 jobs. However, for the 2,600 BT employees in Northern Ireland, the company has better news.
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