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LATEST STATISTICS - There were 800,000 young people (aged 16 to 24 years) in the UK who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in July to September 2019; this number increased by 43,000 when compared with July to September 2018 and was up 8,000 from April to June 2019.

The percentage of all young people in the UK who were NEET in July to September 2019 was 11.6%; the proportion was up 0.7 percentage points from July to September 2018 and up 0.1 percentage points from April to June 2019.

Of all young people in the UK who were NEET in July to September 2019, 39.6% were looking for, and available for, work and therefore classified as unemployed; the remainder were either not looking for work and/or not available for work and therefore classified as economically inactive.

ABC Comment, are you a NEET, what do you think:

PERIOD POVERTY - Plan International UK have been in contact with us via their media people. Period Poverty has been in the news this year and we have been asked to highlight this issue.

This is what Plan International UK does:

How we combat Period Poverty in 2019?

Many young girls nowadays will have to tackle the issues that are now grouped together as ‘period poverty’ — from a lack in menstrual education, to not being able to afford sanitary products and sacrificing days of education as a result. With this in mind, it is time to address the issue of period poverty, focusing on how teenage girls are actively raising awareness of the topic.

According to Plan International UK, a dedicated children’s charity, one in every ten teenage girls will have experienced the problem of not being able to afford sanitary products. This issue has been picked up by many campaigners who are pushing to eradicate the financial barriers between girls and menstruation. So, let’s talk about exactly why young girls need to be growing up in a world free of period poverty.

Period Poverty – what is it?

A couple of retailers have swallowed the tax and a Tampon Tax Fund has been set up to support certain women's charities, but that hasn’t changed the fact that many girls are growing up in a climate where they can’t afford these essential items.

Tampon tax refers to the profits from the VAT charge of 5% applied to sanitary products and while this might be significantly less than the standard 20% VAT which applies to a whole host of other products, there is still dispute over whether we should be paying tax duties on these products at all.

This ties in with period poverty and the inability to afford sanitary products such as organic cotton tampons, but it can also relate to a lack of understanding of menstruation. Governments have come under fire for matters such as the tampon tax, which is thought to contribute to period poverty.

The affect of Period Poverty on women

On average, girls start their first period at around twelve years old, but can start for girls as young as eight. Not all young girls are fortunate enough to be able to add sanitary products onto their parents’ weekly shop and this has left many without access to sanitary items.

Spotting the signs of your first period and not being prepared to manage it can lead to a lot of stress, causing girls to feel anxious about their bodies. Experiencing symptoms and having no access to period products means that many girls could be going through period poverty during the peak years of their education and development.

It has been reported that the average schoolgirl is found to take three days off each term due to period related issues and 1,000 girls said that period poverty affected their academic performance. There needs to be a solution to remedy this, allowing girls to focus on their education.

How Are Authorities Addressing Period Poverty?

In April 2019, the UK Government’s Department for Education announced its commitment to providing free sanitary products across England’s primary schools by early 2020.

The Children and Families Minister Zadhim Zahawi covered some of the key concerns for period poverty campaigners, outlining the move as a step towards enabling girls to meet their full potential, while also leading happy, healthy lives. The classroom is one of the key places to tackle period poverty and in February the UK government announced that it intends to implement classes on menstrual health by 2020, which is certainly a step in the right direction when it comes to educating young girls about their periods.

Breaking the taboo of Period Poverty in the classroom

As we’ve already mentioned, the government is taking the right steps towards bringing periods into the classroom and by educating girls at a young age, the school system can help to tackle period poverty at its very origin. There’s often a lot of pressure placed on parents to teach their daughters about periods but if they don’t know, they can’t share so we should be more proactive in talking about menstruation in the classroom.

However, there’s certainly a stigma around menstruation and by leveling the playing field early on, we can inform young girls about what to expect from their first period and that it is totally natural. Plan International UK found that some of the most reoccurring reasons cited by girls missing school lessons, due to period related issues, were embarrassment and anxiety about the situation. This demonstrates the need for period education and schools should be striving to tackle this and make classrooms a safe space for all youngsters.

Thanks to various widespread social media movements, there is already a growing understanding of period poverty amongst teenagers and young girls. PHS Group carried out a survey in which a third of participants said that either they or someone they knew had been affected by period poverty.

Teen activist Amika George began the #FreePeriods movement, and the nineteen-year-old is amplifying the message that no young girl should have to miss out on learning because they can’t afford sanitary products. She has joined forces with various other campaigns such as the Pink Protest and the Red Box Project to reiterate the importance of achieving period equality for all girls.

This highlights that as women, we have a duty to share and support each other through an experience that we all have in common, so let’s tackle period poverty and raise a generation of girls who have ready access to essential sanitary products and are empowered by their bodies, not held back by them.

Sources:

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/period-poverty-everything-you-need-to-know/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/starting-periods/                      

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dont-hide-periods-in-schools-urges-charity-at-head-of-government-taskforce/

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/amika-george-period-poverty-uk/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/08/girls-school-period-poverty-scotland-free-menstrual-products-england-campaign

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/period-poverty-girls-school-absent-phs-group-menstrual-a8922246.html

https://plan-uk.org/media-centre/plan-international-uks-research-on-period-poverty-and-stigma

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/free-sanitary-products-in-all-primary-schools

ABC Comment have your say below:

MASS UNEMPLOYMENT- According to research from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Centre for Cities thinktank, large levels of “hidden” unemployment in towns and cities across Britain are excluded from the official government statistics.

The Centre for Cities thinktank study found that more than 3 million people are missing from the headline unemployment rate because they report themselves as economically inactive to government labour force surveys, saying that they believe no jobs are available.

Summary

Since the financial crisis, Britain’s urban areas are experiencing a self-employment boom. But too many people working for themselves lack access to training — raising concerns about their long-term security and many cities’ future economic strength.

This report finds that self-employment in cities has risen by 44 per cent since 2008, outpacing the national average by almost 25 per cent. But nearly 80 per cent of urban self-employment is mid and lower skilled in industries.

Findings

• Urban self-employment has grown faster than non-urban self-employment and it now accounts for 52 per cent of all self-employment in the country. Since 2004, there has been a 35 per cent increase in self-employment across the country, growth five times higher than that of overall employment.

• Urban self-employment is overwhelmingly concentrated in a few industries and in lower-skilled occupations. Construction, transport and storage, arts and entertainment and personal services account for 13 per cent of all employment in cities, but for 54 per cent of all self-employment.

• In cities with weaker economies, self-employment is more likely to be the only source of income and to be lower skilled. In weaker city economies, the share of self-employed individuals in lower-skilled occupations is even higher. In contrast, self-employment that offers the opportunity to carry out additional work in higher-skilled roles alongside employment is much more concentrated in cities in the South of England and in Scotland.

Recommendations

As the world of work continues to change, it is important employment legislation develops accordingly. To better support self-employed people to thrive in the labour market of the future, this is what needs to change:

1. 1. To support individuals: allow self-employed people to deduct the costs of any forms of training from income taxes. Currently, self-employed individuals can deduct training costs when it goes towards maintaining skills necessary for their current role, but not for new skills. Given the rapid changes in the labour market, it is important people can acquire the skills they need to adapt to these changes, and shift from one occupation to another if necessary.
   2. To support industries: government should bring together businesses in industries with high rates of self-employment to invest in and pool resources to fund training. In the construction industry, for example, there is already a training body — the Construction Industry Training Board — in which companies actively contribute by paying a levy to improve skills. This model should, firstly, be improved to make it easier for self-employed people to access training and, secondly, be replicated by other industries with high shares of self-employment.
   3. To support places: for struggling cities in particular, the best way to support self-employment is to strengthen the overall economy. These places should focus on creating more vibrant labour markets, where high-skilled individuals and businesses want to locate, by facilitating the creation and exchange of knowledge through improvements in skills and the quality of business environment on offer in their city centres. This would broaden and improve the choices available to individuals, indirectly benefiting self-employed people too.

ABC Comment have your say below:

DREAM JOB - Researchers polled the nation and discovered a staggering 57 percent of Brits have completely given up on doing a job that they love.

And it is by the tender age of thirty that most throw in the towel on a dream career, according to the findings.

More than a third (34 percent) of Brits believe they lack the confidence to pursue their dream job and the same number feel that they are now too old to chase their ambitions.

Sadly, almost half (47 percent) of workers feel completely trapped in a job they hate, with 34 percent claiming their current role is incredibly stressful, three in ten (31 percent) that it’s exhausting and a fifth (19 percent) saying it’s just plain boring.

In fact, more than one in ten (13 percent) feel their job doesn’t challenge them in the slightest.

The study, by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), also found that 46 percent of the nation’s workers would love to gain more qualifications to help them in their current job, and almost eight in 10 (77 percent) would like more training at work overall.

And an entrepreneurial 16 percent would like more qualifications so they can start their own business.

Yet 38 percent of Brits said that, while they would jump at the chance to develop their career, they felt completely unsupported by their bosses to do so.

Little wonder then, perhaps, that 64 percent of British workers say they feel very jealous of people who seem to adore their careers, according to the study.

27 percent say that family commitments mean they don’t feel they can take the risk of changing careers and 26 percent claim they lack the right qualifications to pursue their dream role.

The study also revealed that 27 percent of Brits haven’t taken any courses or earned any further qualifications since they left secondary school or university.

Of those, 30 percent said they couldn’t afford to take further qualifications while 16 percent insisted their employer simply doesn’t invest in courses and training for its staff.

The research, of almost 2,500 British workers and employers, also found that the average manager feels that 31 percent of their workforce has lost all motivation in the workplace and has essentially “resigned themselves” to their current job.

And more than half (54 percent) said they had staff members who were probably doing the wrong job and could be successfully redeployed if retrained.

While four in 10 admitted that some of their  employees would be much better in their current roles if they were given the right training.

Rob Alder, Head of Business Development for AAT, said: “ While so many British workers say they have given up hopes of landing their dream job, it’s interesting that the top reasons given – a lack of confidence or belief that they are now too old to act – are perceptions rather than actual barriers. In truth, there should be no barrier to furthering your career. Increasing numbers of employers and individuals recognise the benefits of keeping your skill-set up to date – not least because the digital disruption means roles are changing, representing both opportunities and threats.

“It’s especially telling that companies themselves have admitted they could do more to engage their employees, with the average manager feeling that 31 percent of their workforce has lost all motivation in the workplace. Things shouldn’t be like this, and can be reversed. One way to address this is through investment in effective training and qualifications which can help boost staff morale, productivity and effectiveness.”

The data also found that the average British worker would be prepared to shell out £518 of their own money to get a qualification that would lead to a better job.

There are gender differences revealed by the research, with the nation’s women more likely than men feel that their current job is stressful (40 percent compared to 23 percent), and women were also more likely than men to say that family commitments were holding them back from pursuing their dream career (31 percent compared to 21 percent).

Sponsors of the research AAT, is calling on employers to invest in their workers for the benefit of business productivity, employee engagement and staff retention.

Top ten reasons why Brits aren’t chasing their dream jobs:

• Lack of confidence (34%)
• Left it too late (34%)
• Family commitments (27%)
• The wrong qualifications (26%)
• The wrong connections (23%)
• It’s a competitive industry (20%)
• Not feeling bright enough (18%)The wrong background (13%)
• It’s a niche field (12%
• Living in the wrong part of the country (11%)

ABC Note: Is becoming an accountant your dream job? 

ABC Comment have your say below:

FINANCIAL OMBUDSMAN - We fall out with Premium Credit.

We insured the ABC battlewagon with Policy Expert a car insurance broker whose principles policies that they sell every month are underwritten by finance firm, Premium Credit Limited, Ermyn House, Ermyn Way, Leatherhead, Surry, KT 22 8UX.

Our monthly premium was £30.24 this year, but we missed a payment last year and we found that Premium Credit Limited had banged on a hefty £27.50 for missing a payment. This seemed excessive, as those on low incomes do not necessarily have a large float in the bank. Sometimes the poorest are juggling constantly, trying to avoid dropping a ball. Living on a low income is not easy and as we know, being poor is very expensive.

We complained to the Financial Ombudsman, and we were given the advice to read over the insurance contract. That said the missed payment fee was £20.50. Eureka! We lodged a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman and after an investigation the FO said that Premium Credit, could amend their terms, and they said the Company had sent out an email increasing their charges.

At the ABC – we said we had never received an email advising us of this increase and furthermore why should these penalties be so high as they do not relate to any costs being incurred. The cost of one computer talking to another is not £28.50 or even sending out an automated letter.

These were punitive damages which are not allowed in English Civil law, or so we believed?

We found that Premium Credit could not produce a copy of this [alleged] email. Nor a list of to whom the email was sent??? The Financial Ombudsman had said that Premium Credit had said they deleted the email for data protection reasons. Hmmmmm…we thought?

We said that was nonsense, if you are amending a contact, 'data protection', means keeping a copy of the email we argued. Protecting customers can mean keeping data, not deleting it

The Financial Ombudsman contact, said he believed that Premium Credit had sent out an email, even though this adjudicator admitted there was no evidence.

We decided to cancel our policy and today on the telephone, Policy Expert admitted that Premium Credit had increased their prices very recently to deter people from missing their payments. For us that would mean a cost of almost £60 at a time, when people on Universal Credit have just around £100 a month left over for food and other basics.

People in rural locations and those looking for work need vehicles and at the ABC we feel these rip-off charges need to be looked into. 

ABC Comment, Premium Credit - NO THANKS

ABC Comment, have you suffered from rip-off penalty charges? 

SOUTH ESSEX - More than 70 landlords met at an inaugural South Essex Forum on 13 November to learn about how to become even better landlords. The event was run jointly between the South Essex Housing Group and the National Landlords Association with support from Birkett LLP and other expert speakers.

The event covered the key legal responsibilities of being a landlord such as keeping rental properties in good shape, looking after the needs of tenants and making sure the right tenancy agreement is in place.

The impact of Brexit on mortgage finance was discussed along with investment strategies that landlords could follow to improve their portfolios including managing their tax affairs.

The National Landlords Association provided invaluable advice on recent Government consultations and new legislative changes affecting, for example, Section 21 Evictions, the Tenant Fees Act, the Rogue Landlords Database and the introduction of compulsory five-year electricity checks.

A new initiative known as “Ready to Rent” was also launched at the forum from participating South Essex Local Authorities designed to help landlords comply with new and changing legislation to ensure their properties are safe for tenants. The offer includes inspections, advice / support and Ready to Rent Certification valid for three years.

The event concluded with the panel question and answer session with expert the speakers on hand from Birketts, Home of Mortgages, the National Landlords Association and Rochford District Council.

Louisa Moss, Chair South Essex Private Housing Group, said: “Landlord Forums are a good way to get an update on the latest professional expertise, advice and support”.

“I would urge all local landlords and agents to attend future events and to register their interest by contacting our private housing team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.”

Image: Alice Harris, property litigator at Birketts. 

Alice Harris, Senior Associate and property litigator at Birketts said: “Failure to comply with legal requirements could result in a civil and or criminal offence with hefty fines and leave you unable to remove your tenant from the property, so it is important to get it right. Ensuring you have the right agreement, documents and certificates in place will help you along the way. There’s lot of support out there and I would encourage all landlords to seek the necessary advice.

ABC Comment, what did you think of this event?

ECONOMIC FAILURE - North East workers are £6,400 worse off than if real wages had stayed at 2008 levels, TUC analysis shows

Household debt has increased by a third since 2010 to new record of £14,200

TUC calls on parties to get wages rising, defend workers’ rights and rebuild public services

A decade of low pay has driven working families deep into the red, according to new analysis published today (Tuesday), as the TUC unveils its general election priorities.

Real wages in the North East still haven’t recovered to their 2008 levels – the longest pay squeeze in centuries. As a result, the average worker in the region is £6,421 worse off today than they would be had wages kept pace with inflation since 2008.

In the same period, unsecured household debt in the UK has risen by a third to a record high of £14,177.

In nominal terms, household debt has risen 1.5 times faster than wages since 2010.

Individual insolvencies are also at their highest level since 2010. More than 115,000 people were pushed over the financial cliff edge in 2018.

In the first three quarters of 2019 93,042 people declared individual insolvency, meaning this year will likely surpass 2018.

Putting working families first

The TUC believes that this is the most important election in a generation and is calling on all parties to put working families first.

At this election, the TUC is calling on all parties to put working families first. They must:

Get wages rising faster for everyone - not just the boardroom

Ban zero hours contracts and guarantee everyone the security at work we need 

Rebuild our NHS and the public services we all rely on - don't cut taxes for the rich

Sort Brexit in a way that protects jobs and rights at work, and give people a final say

TUC Regional Secretary Beth Farhat said:

“Wages have stood still for over a decade, but the cost of living is still going up. Many households in the North East have been pushed to the financial cliff edge.

“Working-class families have had enough of a system that’s rigged in favour of the rich and bosses. We want better than rising debts and low-paid jobs on impossible hours that make it hard to see our loved ones.

“So in this election, we’re going to use our votes to fix Britain and make politicians put working families first.”

ABC Comment, have your say below:

CONFERANCE:  The ABC attended the International Stress Management Association conference which comes on the last day of International Stress Awareness Week. 

Carole Spiers shown in the image, is the Chair of ISMA and is founder of International Stress Awareness Week. 

The conference had some excellent speakers and was hosted by Alastair Greener, MC and TV Presenter.

Image: Alastair Greener, MC and TV Presenter.

The opening keynote address was made by Helen Ball, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

Image: Helen Ball, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

We missed the ISMA Question Time hosted by Carole Spiers and included Geoff McDonald, Mental Health Campaigner and Professor Lennart Levi, Emeritus Professor of Psychosocial Medicine on the panel but we managed to hear an excellent talk by Sally Kettle an adventurer and motivational speaker.

What Does it Take to Row and Ocean? Was Sally’s talk. Sally is an adventurer, author and speaker is the first woman to row the Atlantic Ocean twice from East to West, once with her Mother. She has also taken part in the last leg of the World Clipper race and retraced the steps of WW2 heroine Nancy Wakes across the harsh Pyrenees with the women from the armed services.

Image: Adventurer, Sally Kettle rowed the Atlantic with her mum. 

Sally is an Ambassador for the Girl Guides, Chair of the Trustees for The London Sports Trust and a huge supporter of Shelterbox.

Shelterbox works with disaster-affected communities to provide the emergency shelter, essential items and training needed to support families in the long process of rebuilding their lives. 

Lunchtime were some lightning session experts. One we noticed was on-song that supports wellbeing and mental health in organisations around the country. Onsong’s transformational singing programs improve staff welfare and increase engagement.

Image: George Bell, Onsong. 

Lotte Mikkelson is a laughter Yoga master trainer in the UK and a Laughter Ambassador who runs workshops for groups and individuals. Well it sounds like a hoot you must admit.

Image: Lyca radio Deep Rajah Dhir.

Head of current affairs for Lyca radio Deep Rajah Dhir has his own talk show Lets’s Talk. His guests have included, film stars, company CEO’s and Theresa May, former prime minister. Deep also produces pieces for time radio, a station in East London. Deep also produces Medical Monday in conjunction with Lyca health.    

Image: Majic by Goldie.

Image: Time for some networking. 

Image: Change your thinking change your life. 

There were many interesting people but our visit this year was a fleeting one. We hope to make more time next year.

ABC comment, were you at the conferance and what did you think?

ELECTION NEWS - More Election promises today.

Boris Johnson is expected today to announce a review of business rates in England, a cut in the National Insurance contribution for employers and an increase in the R&D tax credit from 12% to 13% to boost sectors such as manufacturing and science.

Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn will explain Labour intends to train 320,000 apprentices in roles such as construction and manufacturing in renewable energy, in addition to granting employers more choice over how they spend Apprenticeship Levy Funds. 

Jo Swinson will announce the Lib Dems are the “natural party of business” and will criticise the two main parties’ plans to spend generous amounts on infrastructure. 

Meanwhile the SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford has called for the establishment of a UK Poverty and Inequality Commission.

Announcing the policy on the BBC Andrew Marr Show, Ian Blackford confirmed that SNP MPs will demand the next UK government establishes a UK Poverty and Inequality Commission to end the Tory cruel and callous cuts regime that has forced thousands into poverty, debt and desperation.

By next year, Tory cuts will have reduced social security spending in Scotland by £3.7bn.

Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader and candidate for Ross, Skye and Lochaber Ian Blackford said:

“This election is Scotland’s opportunity to escape Brexit - but also to escape a decade of Tory austerity inflicted on Scotland. After a decade of Westminster cuts, the SNP’s plan for a UK Poverty and Inequality Commission will help ensure these cruel and callous policies are never again inflicted on Scotland or across the UK. 

“The Commission is the first step in exposing the untold pain and hardship that Tory policies inflict on the disadvantaged and low-income workers across the UK. It is a vehicle to finally escape Westminster austerity by providing expert advice on using the powers at Westminster to tackle poverty and to report on progress.

“A vote for the SNP is a vote to end Tory austerity; the two-child cap on tax credits and the associated rape clause, the punitive benefit sanctions regime, and the shambolic rollout of Universal Credit.

“While the SNP Scottish Government is using the powers we currently have to mitigate Tory austerity, we know that only with full powers over social security and employment can we introduce inclusive and progressive policies to end poverty and support our citizens to build a better future. 

“Scotland’s social security system is best served in Scotland’s hands - not those of Boris Johnson. A vote for the SNP is a vote to give Scotland a choice over our future and to tackle the deep-seated inequalities in our society - shifting the curve on poverty without our efforts being undermined by another government’s policies.”

ABC Comment, have your say below: