…in brief

This week’s news in brief

IT recruitment falls

Recruitment in the IT industry has fallen by 40 per cent as the country
begins to feel the effect of the high-tech slowdown. The number of advertised
IT jobs fell by 40 per cent to 19,500 compared with the same period last year –
the lowest figure for seven years. Software house recruitment fell to less than
7,300 – it’s lowest ever.

‘No politics’ in strikes

Tube workers plan to hold two strikes in the run-up to the General Election
but deny they are politically motivated. The RMT rail union workers will strike
on 4 and 6 June to highlight their safety fears over the Government’s plans to
part-privatise London Underground. Guards on South West Trains will also strike
on 18, 25 and 29 May.  www.rmt.org.uk

CRE delays race case

The Commission for Racial Equality has postponed the public hearing of its
formal investigation into allegations of racial discrimination in the Prison
Service. Lawyers for the family of Zahid Mubarek, who was murdered by a racist
inmate at Feltham Young Offenders’ Institute, wrote to the CRE asking for the
hearing to be adjourned.  www.cre.gov.uk

CBI call for skills link

The CBI has called on the Government to promote lifelong learning and
improve business links with education. In its manifesto for business, the CBI has
claimed the Government must do more to increase the skills of the UK workforce.
Businesses must have a say in the new Learning and Skills Councils, which will
oversee post- 16 learning, the CBI said. 
www.cbi.org.uk

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Recession failure fear

If even a mild recession hits the UK then a fifth of all companies in the
employment agencies industry risk failure. Analysis firm Plimsoll Publishing
rated the financial health of 2,095 employment agencies across the nation and
found that 770 are at risk of failure. But 845 companies received a strong
rating, indicating they would find ways to maintain business in a recession.  www.plimsoll.com