US jobs grew more than expected last month amid falling COVID-19 cases, rising vaccination rates and extra government support putting the labour market recovery back on firmer footing. Nonfarm payrolls surged 379,000 jobs in March after rising 166,000 in January, according to a closely watched employment report. It followed the first fall in eight months in December. Live COVID updates from the UK and across the world Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Feb: 'This nation will know sunny days again' Economists had forecast February payrolls increasing by 182,000 jobs. Advertisement The Labor Department figures came after the Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell gave an upbeat view of the jobs market, but warned a return to full employment this year was "highly unlikely". While the unemployment rate fell to 6.2% last month from 6.3% in January, it continued to be understated with people misclassifying … [Read more...] about US jobs surge beats forecasts in signs of labour market recovery
Fresher mechanical engineering jobs in automobile sector
Nursing pay rise row: Are other public sector workers in line for an increase?
A proposed pay rise of 1% for nurses and other health workers who have been on the coronavirus frontline has triggered an angry backlash. Having been clapped by the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, critics have branded as "contemptuous" the increase for NHS staff in England, with unions raising the prospect of industrial action . Health minister Nadine Dorries has said in "an ideal world" everyone would love to see nurses paid more, but the government cannot afford it in the face of record borrowing and costs due to the coronavirus crisis. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1% NHS staff pay rise 'most' we can afford What are the state of the nation's finances? Advertisement Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out plans in his budget this week to repair the Britain's battered coffers, which will see UK households and businesses … [Read more...] about Nursing pay rise row: Are other public sector workers in line for an increase?
Blowout US jobs report may feed inflation fears
A bumper employment boost in Joe Biden’s first jobs report caused a spike in US government borrowing costs to their highest level in more than a year. Inflation jitters on bond markets were fuelled again by 379,000 jobs being added to the US economy in February, the strongest showing for four months. Forecasters predicted the vaccine rollout and the president’s stimulus jolt will extend the jobs recovery in the coming months after an expectations-smashing report. The labour market quickly regained momentum following the second wave setback with the jobs gain in the first full month under Mr Biden well above forecasts of below 200,000. Unemployment edged down 0.1 percentage points to 6.2pc but the headline rate is flattered by many American workers temporarily sitting out of the labour market. Signs of the rapidly recovering jobs markets stoked volatility in US Treasuries, which are being closed watched by investors. Expectations of a strong economic recovery boosted the … [Read more...] about Blowout US jobs report may feed inflation fears
COVID-19: Public urged to join slow handclap protest as nursing unions being strike discussions over pay row
The public are being urged to join a mass slow handclap in protest at a government recommendation for a 1% pay rise for NHS workers - as unions warn of possible strike action. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has set up a £35m strike fund that can be used to provide compensation for loss of earnings and campaigning should members decide to down tools. RCN chief executive and general secretary Dame Donna Kinnair condemned health minster Nadine Dorries' claim that 1% was "the most" the government could afford , calling it "pitiful and bitterly disappointing". Live COVID updates from the UK and across the world Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Minister defends NHS 1% pay increase And Unite, which also represents tens of thousands of health service staff, has warned it too is considering industrial action amid growing anger at the pay proposals they branded an "insult" and "hypocrisy in its greatest form". … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Public urged to join slow handclap protest as nursing unions being strike discussions over pay row
Property investor Aprirose races to find buyer for COVID-hit QHotels
A property investor which has spent hundreds of millions of pounds on buying hospitality sector assets is racing to find a new owner for QHotels, a collection of four-star properties located across the UK. Sky News understands that Aprirose, which spent £525m acquiring QHotels in 2017, is working with advisers at PricewaterhouseCoopers to offload the business. Prospective bidders are understood to include turnaround funds and mainstream private equity investors. Live COVID updates from the UK and across the world QHotels' portfolio includes Slaley Hall in Northumberland, The Queens in Leeds, Dunston Hall in Norfolk, and Ashford International in Kent. Advertisement The company also oversees four DoubleTree by Hilton properties, two Delta by Marriott sites, and one Mercure-branded hotel. The valuation of the business is unclear, although a number of parties which had looked at it said it required a substantial capital injection in the near … [Read more...] about Property investor Aprirose races to find buyer for COVID-hit QHotels