Work TV

ONS is seeking to increase the role of administrative and other evolving data sources to assess how they could be used to improve the production of official statistics. Earth Observation (EO) data includes satellite and aerial imagery and are emerging sources of data relevant to several areas of official statistics.

An article published today describes a small pilot project using freely available aerial images of UK addresses to assess the ability of machine learning techniques to detect residential features of interest, such as caravans and clusters of similar housing. This rich source of information has broad potential to provide geo-spatial intelligence that might improve the information ONS holds about addresses. This information is essential for carrying out surveys and the census. As well as providing experience in handling and analysing satellite imagery data, the pilot assessed the feasibility of using these freely available data to enhance intelligence on addresses currently available to ONS.

The full methodology article is available here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/methodologicalpublications/generalmethodology

The world is undergoing a digital transformation, offering enormous opportunities for growth, innovation, and jobs. However, digital skills and tools can still seem out of reach to many. Google started the Grow with Google initiative three years ago, and this year thery have pledged to help 1 million Europeans find a job or grow their business by 2020. Google  say they want to offer everyone the chance to Grow with Google through our free digital skills training courses, tools, and in-person coaching — from the workforce of today to the students who will drive the workforce of tomorrow.

Some 725,000 Europeans who have already found a job or grown their business with Google’s help.  

Scottish Government investment of nearly £28 million in the software sector has contributed to a jobs boom in the industry, latest statistics can reveal.

The number of software enterprises registered in Scotland has increased by over 90% since the SNP came to power in 2007 – meaning that there are now around 42,500 people employed in the software and electronic publishing sectors following years of sustained support from the SNP Scottish Government.

The highly skilled jobs in the tech sector that this investment supports is allowing Scotland’s economy to adapt and develop to be fit for the challenges of an increasingly digital age – and the Scottish Government continues to invest to encourage more people, particularly women, into developing skills in STEM subjects at university level, giving them the ability to support this burgeoning industry for decades to come, as well as through the STEM Strategy published last year.

Image: Mairi Gougeon SNP MSP. 

Commenting, SNP MSP for Angus North and Mearns, Mairi Gougeon, said:

“These figures show what a positive role the Scottish Government is playing in supporting Scotland’s modern economy.

“Since the SNP came to power, we have seen a 90% increase in the number of software and electronic publishing firms registered in Scotland – in no small part thanks to the SNP’s policies to support new, small businesses and the multi-million pound investment in the sector.

“We have invested nearly £28 million over the last five years, helping new firms get up and running and supporting those already leading the way – as well as publishing a ground-breaking STEM Strategy to help support this key sector.

“Not only that, this sector is a major employer right across the country, with over 42,000 people working in the industry.

“This proves the Scottish Government’s commitment to developing and supporting Scotland’s new economy, both now and in the future – giving us the skills and expertise to build a strong, modern economy for decades to come.”

The Family Resource Survey 2016/17 by the DWP Makes Interesting Reading

Fifty-five per cent of all families (benefit units) received at least some form of state support i.e. were in receipt of at least: one income-related benefit (such as Housing Benefit), tax credit, or non-income related benefit (such as Child Benefit or Personal Independence Payment). The percentage of families receiving an income-related benefit increased with the age of the head of household, from 9 per cent where the head of family was aged 16-24, to 29 per cent where the head of family was aged 85 or older.

These benefits include income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Universal Credit and Pension Credit. Almost all families where the head was aged 65 or over received at least one non-income-related benefit, the clear majority being in receipt of State Pension: 97 per cent of families where the head was aged 65-74, 99 per cent of families where the head was aged 75-84, and 100 per cent of families where the head was aged 85 or over were in receipt of State Pension. See Table 2.11 for full data, including percentages for individual benefits.

ABC Note: You can read the survey below.

he loss of a child is a terrible thing. You expect your parents to die, but to outlive your children is a particularly sad even devastating experience.

A stillbirth is even sadder. A life that was planned but never experinced even for a while. 

Good luck to Colchester MP Will Quince with his bill. 

Image. MP Will Quince demonstrating other skills. 

Graduates offered chance to kick start a career with global broker

Graduates interested in developing a career in a fast-paced and dynamic industry are being offered the opportunity to join TP ICAP, a FTSE 250 company.

TP ICAP has over 5,000 staff across 73 locations in 31 countries and provides broking services, data and analytics and market intelligence to clients around the world. 

The company which invested in Belfast in 2016 is seeking 20 graduates to join their Belfast office and play a pivotal role in the world’s financial, energy and commodities markets.

With backing from the Department for the Economy, the new six week pre-employment TP ICAP Financial Services Academy will be delivered by Belfast Met and Ulster University, will provide in-depth, practical training, support and mentoring on the industry, specifics of the roles, technical aspects and professional skills. Successful Academy participants will gain sought after industry recognised qualifications and potentially a final job interview to join the TP ICAP team.

Image: Financial Services Academy in Belfast

Head of Employer Skills at the Department for the Economy, Ann Williamson said: “One of the reasons TP ICAP chose to invest in Belfast was because of the highly educated and skilled workforce in Northern Ireland. The Assured Skills programme demonstrates how government can partner with academia and business to help graduates gain pre-employment skills training with the potential for employment in high quality jobs while at the same time providing companies with the skills they need to grow their business.

“Over 85% of graduates, who previously participated in such pre-employment skills training academies, have secured employment which helps to boost the local economy.”

Launching their first ever academy in Belfast, Rosie Gormley, Head of TP ICAP Belfast said: “As part of our continued growth of our Belfast office, we are excited to launch our new Financial Services Academy in Belfast, supported by the Department for the Economy. This in-depth six week programme provides candidates with the core skills needed to take up exciting new roles in our back office operations function and specifically our Operational Services Group in Belfast.

“We have had a presence in Belfast since 2016 and to support our businesses globally we have recently moved into larger, brand new offices in City Quays 2, Belfast Harbour.  This state-of-the art space, adjacent to the historical Titanic Quarter, allows us to grow our footprint in Belfast and bring great career opportunities to the local marketplace.”

Previous experience is not required with the academy open to graduates from any discipline. Graduates will be paid an allowance of £150 per week plus travel expenses while training.

Further information can be found at: www.nidirect.gov.uk/assured-skills. Applications close on Friday 25 May.

A new introductory booklet is now available

A Citizen’s Basic Income is: 

• ‘Unconditional’: A Citizen’s Basic Income would vary with age, but there would be no other conditions: so everyone of the same age would receive the same Citizen’s Basic Income, whatever their gender, employment status, family structure, contribution to society, housing costs, or anything else.
• ‘Automatic’: Someone’s Citizen’s Basic Income would be paid weekly or monthly, automatically.
• ‘Nonwithdrawable’: Citizen’s Basic Incomes would not be means-tested. If someone’s earnings or wealth increased, then their Citizen’s Income would not change.
• ‘Individual’: Citizen’s Basic Incomes would be paid on an individual basis, and not on the basis of a couple or household.
• ‘As a right of citizenship’: Everybody legally resident in the UK would receive a Citizen’s Basic Income, subject to a minimum period of legal residency in the UK, and continuing residency for most of the year.

 Contents 

• What is a Citizen’s Basic Income?
• How would it work?
• Six fundamental changes
• Four frequently asked questions
• Constructing a feasible Citizen’s Basic Income scheme
• An illustrative Citizen’s Basic Income scheme
• The effect on means-tested benefits
• The effect on inequality and poverty
• The effect on a typical household
• Housing costs
• Implementation methods
• Alternatives to Citizen’s Basic Income?
• Who would receive a Citizen’s Basic Income?
• Further reading
• The Citizen’s Basic Income Trust
• How you can help

ABC Note: The Citizen’s Basic Income booklet can be downloaded below:

Hylton-Potts Legal Consultants brought this case to our attention:

Over recent months, we have covered the transition to Universal Credit in some detail. The roll out has continued unabated despite claimants facing incredible difficulty and hardship as their claims are transitioned across to the new system.

We have reported the comments from politicians and other public figures, but it is the stories and case studies relating to everyday people that really bring home the difficulties that the Universal Credit steamroller is creating.

Nothing, however, was able to prepare us for the situation facing a 52 year old cancer sufferer, who says Universal Credit has been nothing short of a death sentence.

High court challenge

The man, known only as TP, launched a high court action against the government, saying that the move to Universal Credit left him unable to afford travel to and from hospital to receive chemotherapy. The court heard that the change from a series of means-tested benefits to one singe Universal Credit payment had left TP out of pocket to the tune of £178 per month.

TP had been receiving the Severe Disability Premium and the Enhanced Disability Premium. However, the introduction of universal credit meant these policies were scrapped, despite the assurances of David Gaulke, the former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. You might remember he had proudly announced that: “no one will experience a reduction in the benefit they are receiving at the point of migration to universal credit where circumstances remain the same.”

TP’s solicitor, Zoe Leventhal, explained to Mr Justice Lewis that he and another claimant, known as AR, “are no longer able to meet many of their basic needs." She said that TP and AR are just two examples of people whose lives have been blighted by Universal Credit, and said that thousands of vulnerable people across the country are feeling the pinch in the same way.

Unlawful discrimination

Tessa Gregory is a partner at Manchester law firm Leigh Day, which represented both TP and AR. She told reporters that the legal action was taken on the basis that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions had unlawfully discriminated against the two men, and against numerous other disabled people who live alone and with no carer.

She said that the DWP has axed payments that are specifically aimed at providing support for these vulnerable members of society and has done nothing to replace them or top up their other benefits, and added that in doing so, the government has acted unlawfully.

What happens next?

Mr Justice Lewis granted a high court review of the Universal Credit roll out and ordered that it be fast tracked. It is expected to take place in late May or early June.

While the judicial review is welcome, even a positive conclusion will come as something of a a pyrrhic victory to TP, who is suffering from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and Castleman’s disease, conditions that are likely to prove terminal.

Unsurprisingly, the DWP had very little to say on the topic. A spokesperson merely said: “We are unable to comment on the specifics of this case while the review continues. We are committed to supporting people into work while making sure the right care is in place for those that can’t.”

The case of TP is an extreme example of the terrible consequences that any one of us can face from Universal Credit.

 Over recent months, we have covered the transition to Universal Credit in some detail. The roll out has continued unabated despite claimants facing incredible difficulty and hardship as their claims are transitioned across to the new system.

We have reported the comments from politicians and other public figures, but it is the stories and case studies relating to everyday people that really bring home the difficulties that the Universal Credit steamroller is creating.

Nothing, however, was able to prepare us for the situation facing a 52 year old cancer sufferer, who says Universal Credit has been nothing short of a death sentence.

High court challenge

The man, known only as TP, launched a high court action against the government, saying that the move to Universal Credit left him unable to afford travel to and from hospital to receive chemotherapy. The court heard that the change from a series of means-tested benefits to one singe Universal Credit payment had left TP out of pocket to the tune of £178 per month.

TP had been receiving the Severe Disability Premium and the Enhanced Disability Premium. However, the introduction of universal credit meant these policies were scrapped, despite the assurances of David Gaulke, the former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. You might remember he had proudly announced that: “no one will experience a reduction in the benefit they are receiving at the point of migration to universal credit where circumstances remain the same.”

TP’s solicitor, Zoe Leventhal, explained to Mr Justice Lewis that he and another claimant, known as AR, “are no longer able to meet many of their basic needs." She said that TP and AR are just two examples of people whose lives have been blighted by Universal Credit, and said that thousands of vulnerable people across the country are feeling the pinch in the same way.

Unlawful discrimination

Tessa Gregory is a partner at Manchester law firm Leigh Day, which represented both TP and AR. She told reporters that the legal action was taken on the basis that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions had unlawfully discriminated against the two men, and against numerous other disabled people who live alone and with no carer.

She said that the DWP has axed payments that are specifically aimed at providing support for these vulnerable members of society and has done nothing to replace them or top up their other benefits, and added that in doing so, the government has acted unlawfully.

What happens next?

Mr Justice Lewis granted a high court review of the Universal Credit roll out and ordered that it be fast tracked. It is expected to take place in late May or early June.

While the judicial review is welcome, even a positive conclusion will come as something of a a pyrrhic victory to TP, who is suffering from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and Castleman’s disease, conditions that are likely to prove terminal.

Unsurprisingly, the DWP had very little to say on the topic. A spokesperson merely said: “We are unable to comment on the specifics of this case while the review continues. We are committed to supporting people into work while making sure the right care is in place for those that can’t.”

The case of TP is an extreme example of the terrible consequences that any one of us can face from Universal Credit.

Employment Affairs and Social Protection Minister, Regina Doherty, T.D., has announced that a public awareness campaign about false self-employment in Ireland will begin tomorrow, Monday,  7th May.

The public awareness campaign follows on from recommendations in the ‘Report on Intermediary Structures and Self-Employment Arrangements’, which was published in January this year.   The report found there is no evidence that there has been any significant change in the level of self-employment in the economy.    However, concerns have been raised that false self-employment exists across a number of industry sectors in Ireland.  

False self-employment is an employment relationship which creates the appearance that a person is self-employed, when, in reality, they are a direct employee of a business or corporate structure. This campaign is aimed at ensuring that there is better public awareness of the important service the Department provides in determining employment status. The campaign response should help the Department in better understanding the scale and nature of false self-employment.  

Minister Doherty said the campaign timing is opportune:“As the economy continues to grow steadily and the labour market continues to improve, it is timely that what defines a person’s employment status is made clear.  It is also important that people are aware of the role of my Department in determining a person’s employment status.

While the Government recognises that the vast majority of self-employment is legitimate, genuine,  and an important contributor to the Irish economy, cases of false self-employment can and do arise, leaving both the worker and the Irish exchequer worse off. False self-employment impacts on an employee’s entitlements to social welfare benefits such as jobseekers and illness benefits, and employment rights including entitlement to statutory minimum pay rates, leave entitlements, and protection against unfair dismissal. False self-employment reduces PRSI contributions and thereby reduces the Social Insurance Fund and also has the potential to reduce tax revenues for the exchequer.

Responsible businesses that employ their staff legitimately can face a competitive disadvantage where this practice exists. Reducing false self-employment will benefit workers, businesses and the exchequer. Working with the Workplace Relations Commission and Revenue my Department will ensure that we tackle the issue of false self-employment in a joined up way.”The public awareness campaign will run over the coming weeks with national, regional and online, media advertisements including radio, print, bus shelters, Dart and Luas services and adverts in major railway stations.  To reflect the international and multicultural nature of the Irish workforce, the online and social media elements of the campaign will be provided in eight languages; French, Hindi, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Spanish.

The campaign response will help the Department to develop its understanding of the scale and nature of false self-employment and may potentially identify sectors for inspection by the Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection, Revenue and the Workplace Relations Commission. Detailed information on false self-employment and the Department’s employment status service is provided here: 

ABC Note: The advertising campaign will cost €167,500 incl VAT (which includes all advertising, creative development and translation costs).

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka called on the government to halt the roll out of Universal Credit during an interview on C4 Dispatches programme: Britain’s Benefit Crisis, last night.

Image: PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka

The union which represents workers at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found in a recent survey that 70% of DWP staff want the roll out of Universal Credit to be stopped.

79% of those who responded said there was an insufficient amount of staff to cope with demand from claimants.

Mr Serwotka told the programme: “The government can give us soundbites and gimmicks but what these statistics tell us is that frontline workers who face-to-face deal with people; single parents, disabled people, people with mental health difficulties, people facing eviction from their houses, people who are desperate and going to foodbanks, they see the reality of this every day of the week.

“And I think it is a wakeup call and the government needs to massively increase the resource in the department for work and pensions, to give the public the welfare system that they deserve.”

The PCS has made repeated representations to the government about the level of stress existing across Universal Credit Service Centres and, increasingly now, in the jobcentres, where staff are also being used to clear UC tasks.

Despite the union’s best efforts, the Department for Work and Pensions has point blank refused to work with our representatives.

Mark added: “The hardships benefit claimants are facing are truly shocking. The fact that many are having to resort to foodbanks and some are, as the Dispatches programme shows, even contemplating suicide, the government must stop the roll out.

“Together with testimony from our members who work incredibly hard to try to make this flawed system work, the time for a radical overhaul of how we treat those who need help, has come. 

“It cannot be right for the government to push ahead with Universal Credit roll out and ignore the overwhelming evidence in the Dispatches programme.”

Britain's Benefits Crisis

The government announced plans to improve the Universal Credit system in autumn 2017. Morland Sanders meets people who rely on the benefit, to see what difference the changes have made to their lives.