|
Earning power falters in the North West
ORGANISATIONS
across the North West are struggling to attract staff as movements
in earnings drop for the first time in 4 years and bonuses become
less frequent. A survey of 42,205 individuals by the Chartered
Management Institute and Remuneration Economics also shows that
resignation levels are up, despite employers in the region offering
a variety of incentives, as they try to hang on to the best talent.
The 2007 National Management Salary Survey shows an average increase
in earnings of 5.3%, down from 5.7% in 2006. In the North West,
specifically, the figure is 6.9%, representing the 2nd highest
regional increase in earnings across the UK. At 2.6% the smallest
pay rise was awarded to employees in the transport and logistics
sector. Top of the ‘industry earnings league table’, for the
12 months to January 2007, is the HR sector (5.9%). In real
terms, the findings show average total earnings, for managers in the
North West, of £41,807, compared to £47,449 across the whole of the
UK. Managers in Scotland enjoyed the highest increase (8%), but at
£47,902 they are only the 3rd highest earners. The top earning
managers are London-based (£54,808) and their take home pay
represents a 29.9% difference against the lowest paid managers in
Northern Ireland (£38,399). It is also clear that bonus
payments are playing less of a role in overall ‘take home pay’.
Across the North West, in 2007, the average bonus payment was
£3,527, down from £4,672 last year. The findings go on to reveal
vast regional difference with employees in Scotland, for example,
awarded bonuses averaging £5,382 and in London the average is
£8,887.
The survey, now in its 34th year, also reveals that 81% of employers
are reporting recruitment problems - a 4 fold increase since 2002.
In a sign that employers are becoming increasingly desperate to find
the right calibre staff, 32.6% now offer ‘golden hellos’,
compared to just 16.3% in 2006. 82% also indicate that they will
make ‘referral payments’ to staff, up from 62.5%, last year.
Asked why they are experiencing difficulties recruiting staff, the
majority of employers (73.2%) blamed a lack of qualified candidates.
Competition from other organisations ranked highly (68.4%), but
employers also admit that they have failed to learn lessons from
recent years. 51% said they offered little in the way of training or
career development, a figure that has risen from 37%, last year. 27%
also said restructuring had caused job insecurity (up from 20%).
The survey also reveals that resignations in the North West have
increased; now standing at 8.5% compared to 1.9%, last year. These
findings also reveal that more directors in the region (5.9%), than
managers (3.7%), are likely to resign. In regional terms, employers
in the North West are worst affected (8.5%) and those least affected
are in Northern Ireland (3.2%).
Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the
Chartered Management Institute, says:- “The steep climb in
organisations reporting recruitment difficulties, mixed with an
increasing number of resignations should be ringing alarm bells for
employers. The marketplace is clearly tipping in favour of the
employee, so if they are serious about retaining the best talent
organisations urgently need to meet the needs and expectations of
their staff.”
Looking at wider benefits, the proportion of organisations providing
a ‘complete remuneration package’ continues to climb. For
example, childcare voucher provision is up to 70% from the 67% last
year. Life assurance is offered by 57% of employers (up from
52%).
Protecting the environment is clearly climbing the
organisational agenda as company car provision is declining and more
organisations (70%) encourage use of public transport through season
ticket loans, compared to this time, last year (67%).
Paul Campfield, director at Remuneration Economics says:-
“This year’s survey shows how benefits packages are increasingly
being offered to employees amongst all levels of seniority.
When
reporting first began, in 1974, provision of medical insurance was
largely the domain of directors. Today, over 70% offer the same
benefit to staff across the organisation.” |
1,000 women in business help others become their own boss
WOMEN looking
to start their own businesses now have a network of 1,000
established female entrepreneurs to show them how it's done.
The women entrepreneurs in the network will be role models, offering
inspiration to women, who face unique challenges in setting up their
own businesses. The inaugural meeting of the Women's
Enterprise Ambassadors Network, hosted by journalist Polly Toynbee
and Industry Minister, Margaret Hodge who launched the search for
members just 4 months ago.
Margaret Hodge said:- "We believed there was a demand for
female role models in business. But even we are overwhelmed by the
response; we've met our target of 1,000 women ambassadors in just 2
months. These ambassadors can encourage and support new female
entrepreneurs, boosting the number of women in business - if we had
the same rate of entrepreneurship among women in the UK as they have
in the USA, we would have 700,000 more businesses in Britain today."
Margaret Hodge had the idea to establish the network when research
showed that women, more than men, need a strong, successful role
model to give them the confidence they need to start up their own
business.
She added:- "Encouraging greater levels of entrepreneurship
amongst women is a priority. Men are twice as likely as women to set
up their own business; we know it is particularly important for
women to have somebody in whom the can confide and with whom they
can discuss their problems."
Ambassadors are volunteers, and will receive no payment for their
work within the network. However, their involvement will afford them
opportunities to: promote their businesses; influence women's
enterprise policy at local, regional and national level.
Activities undertaken by ambassadors are likely to include speaking
to a wide range groups, such as schools, colleges and universities.
To assist ambassadors, an induction and training package is being
developed. This will be supplemented by online facilities that will
allow ambassadors to access information and exchange views.
Many ambassadors have been recruited to the network through the
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and key partners, such as the
Make Your Mark campaign and the Small Business Forum.
The establishment of the Women's Enterprise Ambassadors Network has
the support and endorsement of Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) Ministers. It will be delivered on behalf of the DTI's Small
Business Service by the 9 RDAs and the Make Your Mark campaign.
Boyo Racers!
'VALLEY'
Drivers in Wales race up the most speeding fines per head in
Britain.
Yes, speeding fines cost every man, woman and child in
North Wales a huge £5.80 each last year, more than any other region
in Great Britain, reveals a study for the launch of the 2008
Philip’s UK Road Atlases. While the Boyo Racers of Wales and
the Bedfordshire Bombers (in 2nd place with £5.20 per head) are
racing up the fines, across the Mersey, Scousers are driving at a
snail’s pace, racking up a mere 80p per person in speeding fines.
The study reveals what looks like good news for Britain’s motorists,
with the average number of speeding fines issued in 2005/06
declining by 3%. However, delving deeper into the study reveals a
host of regional inconsistencies. For example, Derbyshire has seen a
24% drop in speeding fines per head, whereas Greater Manchester has
seen a massive 43% rise.
“At Philip’s, we find the regional inconsistencies very
disturbing – they undermine the credibility of the scheme.
Wales is the
speed camera centre of the UK. Mid and South Wales comes second only
to London for raising money through fines. And North Wales raises
more per resident than any other area, although some Midland
counties, like Bedfordshire, Northants and Warwickshire run it close.”
said speed camera expert, Stephen Mesquita.
The 2008 Philip’s UK Road Atlases, presents the first full analysis
of the official Department of Transport figures, as part of its Top
10 Tips to avoid speeding fines. The study by speed camera expert,
Stephen Mesquita, brings to light figures released for the first
time under the Freedom of Information Act. |
