The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee focuses on legal and tax issues around employment and the gig economy at the first public evidence session of its inquiry into the future world of work and rights of workers.

9,000 Youngsters Could Be Made Homeless by Housing Benefit Cuts, Warns Charity.

Homelessness charity Centrepoint estimates that 9,000 youngsters will be at risk of sleeping in the streets because of the changes – based on the number of 18-21 year olds currently claiming the benefit but not covered by exemptions.

Centrepoint has warned: “There is no simple or reliable way to put together a comprehensive list of exemptions which protect young people who cannot return to the family home.

The changes to the housing benefit section of the Universal Credit payment were part of the Conservative’s 2015 General Election manifesto – and were estimated to save the Treasury £95million.

Campaigners are opposed to the plan and they have been hopeful that Theresa May and new Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green would axe the policy in a move away from the austerity-driven focus of their predecessors.

The Government slipped out confirmation the changes would come into force in a matter of weeks, despite strong criticism from homelessness charities.

The policy will not apply to those with dependent children, care leavers, those in temporary accommodation or young people who have been working for the previous 6 months.

An exemption will also apply if the Secretary of State judges it is inappropriate for individuals to live with their parents due to a threat of violence and other reasons. Campaigners are not convinced however and fear that many young people will end up on the streets. 

Image: Centrepoint

Do you want to remain in the European Union!

​The march organisers say they value the peace, friendships, relationships, rights, business & academic collaborations, economic prosperity and outward-looking attitude that European Union membership delivers; it's best for the UK.

​What can the march achieve? Brexit can be stopped they say…. And, they say’ participation can embolden our elected representatives.’

Image: Other countries are joining in with their events. 

The clear majority of our MPs support our membership of the European Union, but organisers say they are being railroaded into a catastrophe by reckless and incompetent leadership. There is a long, unpredictable, road ahead that Parliament will have some (hopefully much!) control over; they need to know just how many votes there are in adopting a pro-EU position. With this vocal support, organisers claim they can stop BREXIT.

You too can join the march. For more details contact:

Web: www.uniteforeurope.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/uniteforeurope

​Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

​Twitter: ​@uniteforeurope

The European Accessibility Act aims to improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services by removing barriers created by divergent legislation. This will facilitate the work of companies and will bring benefits for disabled and older people in the EU.

Demonstrators are concerned that the legislation is being watered down. The demonstration today is outside the European parliament.

A good crowd is expected. Please go along and show your support.

Image: Adriana shows her support

 Businesses will benefit from:

• common rules on accessibility in the EU leading to costs reduction
• easier cross-border trading  
• more market opportunities for their accessible products and services

Disabled and older people will benefit from:

• more accessible products and services in the market 
• accessible products and services at more competitive prices
• fewer barriers when accessing education and the open labour market
• more jobs available where accessibility expertise is needed

The European Accessibility Act covers the products and services listed below that have been identified as having the highest risk of being concerned with diverging accessibility requirements across the EU countries.

Moreover, these were seen as the most relevant after consulting stakeholders and experts on accessibility and taking into account the obligations deriving from the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

• computers and operating systems
• ATMs, ticketing and check-in machines
• smartphones
• TV equipment related to digital television services
• telephony services and related equipment
• audiovisual media services such as television broadcast and related consumer equipment
• services related to air, bus, rail and waterborne passenger transport
• banking services
• e-books
• e-commerce

Image: Support is widespread across the EU

Please read more about the Act below:

You can play a part in Poole Maritime Festival! The organisers need a talented group of people to support the Poole Maritime Festival team and this is your chance to join them. Whether this is as a volunteer manager or a volunteer helping to greet visitors, directing people to events and being an ambassador for Poole, there is a role for everyone. 

 Click Here to Volunteer:

Image: Poole Maritime Festival

Image: Poole Harbour

Poole is of course home of sailing Gold Medalist, Rodney Patterson. 

Image: Rodney Patterson & Ian McDonald Smith in Super'docious. Patterson won two golds and a Silver,

1968 Acapulco, Mexico, 1972 Kiel Germany, 1976 Kingston, Canada. 

March will see a double celebration for The Businesswoman’s Network (The BWN), as it marks International Women’s Day on March 8, followed by The BWN’s eighth birthday on March 17.

Businesswomen from across Essex will celebrate International Women’s Day at The Essex Golf and Country Club in Earls Colne from 9am until 4.30pm. Sponsored by NatWest, Adia PR and World Pay, the event has been organised to offer businesswomen the chance to learn from the experts in a day full of networking, masterclasses and practical support.

The BWN founder and best-selling author, Mandie Holgate, says: “We wanted to celebrate International Women’s Day with something practical and positive that would help businesswomen learn, thrive and succeed. We have some wonderful speakers lined up that will look at the skills and knowledge you really need in business.”

The event will begin with two masterclasses – Sam Stone of NatWest will give a talk on cyber-crime while Mandie will speak on the Imposter Syndrome and how bad thoughts can damage success.  

Image: The Essex Golf and Country Club

Mandie says: “Fear is what prevents you from being successful. Some people worry that others will look at them and think, ‘who do they think they are?’. That sort of fear has a real negative impact so I will be talking about how to overcome that.”

 The afternoon session will include smaller, 30 minute sessions with six experts in their fields, when delegates will be able to ask questions directly to professionals in various areas including coaching, IT and finance.

There will be opportunities to network throughout the day and those needing new corporate photographs can have them taken on the day by Bonnie Wright Photography.

Mandie adds: “It’s going to be a fantastic day of learning, pampering and networking. It will be a perfect celebration of International Women’s Day. I’d like to thank all our sponsors – NatWest, Adia PR and World Pay for making this day possible. It will be a huge benefit to all those who attend.”

The event next week will be followed by The BWN Colchester’s Big Birthday Bash on March 17 when the networking group turns eight years old.  The event, from 10am until 12.30pm, will be held at The BWN’s new venue, Wivenhoe House Hotel in Colchester.

A special celebration ticket for both events is priced at £29 and the first 20 to book will receive a copy of Mandie’s first book, Your Daily Dose of Business Woman’s Confidence and Success. The birthday event will be sponsored by Kersey Solicitors of Ipswich while Annabel Kaye of Koffee Klatch will talk through the dangers companies are open to.

About the BWN

The BWN was launched in 2008 and offers effective and focused networking for all women in business. At every event members and their guests can develop their training and knowledge in areas including sales and marketing, public speaking, build positive relationships, learn from key speakers and exhibit their product and services. The group meets on the third Friday of every month at Wivenhoe House Hotel in Colchester. The BWN’s website was recently named in the top 15 UK resources for businesswomen.

There are no block outs or membership and the events are now hosted in South Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, London, Kent, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire

Click on the logo for more information and to book a place: 

Libraries in Glasgow have generated more than £1.4 million for people on benefits and in debt.

Figures released today by Glasgow Life show 1254 people across the city have gained £1,007,393 in benefits and £396,790 in debts managed.

Library-based money advice services support the city's most vulnerable people in 11 sites across the city. Glasgow City Council’s Financial Inclusion Strategy is delivered by Citizens Advice Bureau and local partners and is designed to offer money advice in a familiar, comfortable setting.

For many, the outreach services offer a lifeline to understand their rights and deal with debt problems.

Note: You can find more information in our ABC directory under: Personal Debt Advice

Image: Glasgow City Council

Image: Glasgow libraries

Note: Glasgow City Council, Financial Inclusion Strategy 2015-18 Document is below: 

Feeding America announces that the 100 Million More Meals Challenge, conducted in partnership with New York Times #1 best-selling author, philanthropist, and expert life and business strategist Tony Robbins, helped provide more than 101.6 million meals to children, families and seniors through Feeding America’s network of 200 member food banks in 2016. More than 40,000 individual donors responded to Robbins’ pledge to match their donations. Contributions during the holiday season pushed the campaign above and beyond its goal by more than 1.6 million meals.

Tony Robbins has been a vocal advocate for hunger relief for more than three decades. In 2014, Robbins kicked off his largest commitment to Feeding America with the 100 Million Meals Challenge, helping to raise nearly $10.1 million from December 2014 through December 2015. In 2016, he partnered with Feeding America once again to raise 100 Million More Meals by January 1, 2017, with a vision of reaching new supporters and creating sustainable support for the organization. As with the first campaign, Robbins personally matched donations to inspire increased giving.

“It’s a tragedy that in the United States, the richest country in the world, 42 million people, including 13 million children, are going to bed unsure if they will have a meal tomorrow,” said Robbins. “I came from one of those families, and to this day I feel compelled to help people in need. I’ve worked with Feeding America for more than five years and I believe passionately in the work they are doing to alleviate not only hunger but fear and uncertainty as well. I am deeply grateful to everyone who answered the call and contributed to 100 Million More Meals Challenge.”

Feeding America CEO Diana Aviv said, “We are deeply appreciative of Tony Robbins’ leadership in the fight to end hunger. With a simple vision to feed people in need, his extraordinary and inspirational gifts turn hunger into hope for millions of Americans. Since 2014, Tony has helped provide more than 200 million meals to the people we serve. By shining a light on the often unseen issue of hunger and inviting others to give, Tony raises not only awareness and funds, but the collective consciousness of our nation. Together, we are Feeding America.”

Tony Robbins faced food insecurity as a child and has supported the hunger-relief cause for more than three decades through his company, Robbins Research International; through his foundation — The Tony Robbins Foundation; and most recently through Feeding America.

Image: Tony Robbins Life success coach.

Of the 20.7 million households (where at least 1 member is aged 16 to 64) in the UK, 11.9 million (57.7%) were classed as working, up 107,000 or 0.6 percentage points over the past year.

5.7 million households (27.5%) had a mix of least 1 working and 1 workless adult, down 55,000 or 0.3 percentage points over the year.

There were 3.1 million households (14.8%) classed as workless, down 72,000 or 0.3 percentage points over the last year.

Growth in the share of working households in the UK has been partly driven by increased proportions of lone parents working, which has risen from 55.4% in 2004 to 67.9% in 2016.

Main definitions used by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)

Households

For the purposes of this bulletin, estimates only include those households where at least 1 person is aged 16 to 64.

Student households

Households where all adults are aged 16 to 24 and in full-time education. The definition excludes households where all members are in education but some members are aged 25 years or more.

Working households

Households where all members aged 16 or over are employed.

Workless households

Households where no-one aged 16 or over is in employment. These members may be unemployed or economically inactive. Economically inactive members may be unavailable to work because of family commitments, retirement or study, or unable to work through sickness or disability.

Mixed households

Households that contain both working and workless members.

Other household types

This refers to households that contain 2 or more family units, or 2 or more people belonging to separate family units.

Lone parent households contain at least 1 dependent child under the age of 19. There may be other non-dependent children present, that is those aged over 18.

Employment

A measure of the number of people in work.

Unemployment

A measure of people without a job who have been actively seeking work within the last 4 weeks and are available to start work within the next 2 weeks.

Economically inactive

People who are not in employment but do not meet the internationally accepted definition of unemployment because they have not been seeking work within the last 4 weeks and/or they are unable to start work within the next 2 weeks.

Brexit when exactly will Theresa May trigger article 50? Carsten Nickel of the consultancy Teneo Intelligence believes it will happen between March 9 and 20. “March 9 would be ideal as PM Theresa May could then present it in person to the European Council, but the bill to authorize it may not have completed its passage through the House of Lords,” he writes in a note to clients. “If it cannot be done on March 9, then the U.K. is keen to do it well before the EU celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome on March 25.”

Bloomberg says: “Theresa May is drawing up plans to protect against Brexit-related labor shortages by tailoring new immigration rules to specific industries, officials familiar with the policy said. The government is gathering information on banking, agriculture, construction, universities and hospitality to ensure they don’t face staffing difficulties after Britain has withdrawn from the European Union, per three officials who asked not to be named because the policy isn’t finalized.”