Tory Conference Pledges Keep Public Sector Workers Awake At Night

THE 2009 Travelodge ‘Sleep and Professions’ study of over 6,000 British workers found that a sharp increase in the UK workforce’s sleeplessness was down to a more uncertain future in public sector professions. With the number of UK workers failing to receive the recommended eight hours of sleep per night rising by two million*, teachers, civil servants, doctors and nurses headed the poll for the first time. 

The budget hotel chain’s annual sleep report now in its fourth year, annually highlights the most stressed workers as the respondents that achieve the least amount of sleep.

In 2008, the confirmation of the UK recession plagued the sleep of bankers and estate agents and now this year the report reflects how the UK economy has moved on. Just behind the public sector workers, professions in the construction industry remain high on the list of the sleep deprived for the second year running.

The sleep study also examined the main reasons why public sector workers are losing so much sleep and findings revealed 41% of teachers lie awake at night worrying about work related issues such as job security, budget cuts within the education sector and anti social behaviour in the classroom.

In addition a quarter (25%) of the Government’s lowest paid workers also admitted to fretting about money worries during the night.

Thirty eight per cent of civil servants lie awake at night worrying whether Gordon Brown can fix Britain’s fiscal mess and whether a Tory Government is imminent.

Whilst the recent outbreak of swine flu has been stressing 47% of the nation’s doctors and nurses resulting in them having sleepless nights.

The table below highlights the UK‘s top ten most sleep deprived professions for 2009 and 2008 

Timings are based upon an average night’s sleep during the working week

Ewan Crawford, Senior Sleep Investigator from Edinburgh Sleep Centre said:- “This research highlights that sleep deprivation is certainly a widespread problem across the UK, especially as 83% of British workers have reported to getting less than the prescribed eight hours of sleep each night of the working week. Even though the credit crunch has moved on a year, the economic climate is still fuelling this sleep disorder. Money worries and concerns regarding job security are the two key drivers of stress; which in turn are leading to significant sleep loss across the British workforce. It’s no surprise that the public sector is hit the hardest in this year’s poll, especially as workers are so uncertain of their future. In contrast it could be seen as the housing industry is moving upwards as Estate Agents are getting more sleep this year-perhaps their length of sleep is a good marker for the state of the housing market “It’s a vicious circle, although workers may fret about their job and have financial worries; they cannot afford to sacrifice their sleep quota. Having sleepless nights on a long term basis can be very detrimental on your health and it will affect your productivity and overall well being. Therefore it is essential to invest in topping up your sleep quota when possible to ensure your getting eight hours of sleep on a regular basis.”

Leigh McCarron, Travelodge’s Director of Sleep said:- “It seems the stress and strain of working within the public sector is certainly taking its toll as teachers, civil servants, doctors and nurses make the 2009 sleep professions deprivation poll for the first time. In today’s economy British professionals are working through one of the hardest times within their careers. Worrying about job security and finances are key stress triggers which are leading to significant sleep loss.” 

Other key findings from the 2009 Travelodge sleep revealed:-

 ·  Eighty three per cent of British workers admitted getting less than the prescribed eight hours of sleep each night of the working week.

 ·  Thirty per cent of workers reported they have sleepless nights due to worrying about work. Thirty five per cent of respondents reported that financial worries keep         them up at night and 25% of adults stated family concerns stop them from sleeping  

·  Forty six per cent of workers spend their weekend catching up on sleep they have missed during the week. 

·  The top five bedtime tipples for British workers are:-

1.   Wine

2.   Whisky

3.   Vodka

4.  Gin and tonic

5.  Bailey’s

·       ·   Twenty per cent of British workers will have a work related nightmare at least once a week during the working week. The top three nightmares are: being chased by your boss, falling from a great height and being stranded.     

  ·   Twenty per cent of respondents reported having a nightmare of Gordon Brown.  

The top ten professions which get the most sleep are listed below:-

1. Sales – 7 hours 38 minutes
2. Housewife – 7 hours 37 minutes
3. IT – 7 hours 33 minutes
4. Company Directors – 7 hours 31 minutes
5. Students – 7 hours 30 minutes
6. Accountants – 7 hours 24 minutes
7. Financial Advisors – 7 hours 23 minutes
8. Police Force  – 7 hours 22 minutes
9. Transport (bus/train driver) – 7 hours 21 minutes
10. Fire Brigade – 7 hours 20 minute

Statement on the agreement regarding Vauxhall operations in the UKt

ARLENE McCarthy MEP on 14 October 2009 has welcomed the publication of an agreement between Magna and Unite the Union regarding the maintenance of jobs in the Ellesmere Port and Luton Vauxhall plants. Local Labour Euro MP, Arlene McCarthy said:- "The Vauxhall plants are lean and efficient operations and their workers cannot be sacrificed in the interests of other EU countries. I have raised this issue in the European Parliament and gained assurances from the European Commission that they will closely monitor the deal to sell GM Europe's holdings to Magna. I am glad that keeping up this pressure has successfully pushed Magna to commit to saving these jobs and promise that there will be no forced redundancies. I will continue to hold discussions with the Commission and I urge all stakeholders to remain vigilant and ensure there is no backsliding from Magna on this agreement. In numerous interventions over the last few months I have made clear that I am not prepared to stand-by and see Vauxhall workers' jobs sacrificed in the interests of Opel's German employees or the rescuing of lame duck jobs at the expense of efficient UK workers. I will continue to stand by the workers in Ellesmere Port and Luton and my commitment does not stop here."

POLICE BLITZ HOUSES IN CRACKDOWN ON DRUG-DEALING

MERSEYSIDE Police launched a series of raids on a number of homes and businesses in South Liverpool on Wednesday, 14 October 2009, following information from the local community about suspected drug dealing and other criminal activity.

More than one hundred officers targeted a total of 10 properties in Alder Wood Avenue in Speke shortly at around 2pm in an operation aimed at disrupting the activities of criminals and sending out a clear message to the law-abiding public that the police and its partners, will do all they can to make communities safer.

Specialist officers armed with heavy duty cutting equipment removed fortifications from the target buildings to allow search teams and police dogs to search inside for evidence of drug dealing and other offences.

The searches are currently on-going but Eight people have now been arrested and officers have recovered a handgun, side handled baton, CS Cannisters, and a quantity of cash. Officers also found a cannabis factory with approximately 650 plants inside one property. Two people have been arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug, one man for possession of an offensive weapon, and another was wanted on a warrant. A firearm and a cannister of CS gas were also seized during the raids.

Chief Inspector David Charnock of Merseyside Police, said:- "This operation was all about sending a clear message to residents living on this estate, the vast majority of who are decent, law-abiding people, that if they give us the information we need about criminal behaviour, we can and will take strong and decisive action. A great deal of work is being done by neighbourhood police officers, along with agencies such as the city council and South Liverpool Housing, to listen to the concerns of local people and work with them to improve their communities by ridding them of people who continue to engage in criminal activity like drug-dealing. I understand that reporting things to the police can be a very difficult thing to do for some people, however the success of this operation, and the considerable resources from across the Force that we have deployed today following information from the community, demonstrates to people what can be achieved when we all work together towards the same goal, which is to make our communities better and safer places to live."

Today's raids were carried out following intelligence from the community. Neighbourhood police officers listened to the concerns and frustrations of residents, and met with the Force's partner agencies to see how these issues could be addressed as part of the continued long-term aim to reduce crime and encourage regeneration in the area. Following the execution of the search warrants, work has already started to remove the fortifications from some of the houses searched so that they can be improved and returned to proper use.

Liverpool City Council’s Head of Community Safety and Cohesion, Alison Stathers-Tracey, said:- “We are determined to make Liverpool a safer place for everyone to live, and take action against the minority of people who make the lives of others a misery.  We do not tolerate criminals taking over communities, and our strong partnership with Merseyside Police is making tremendous progress in reducing the number of offences. The investment we have put into improving and extending our CCTV system is providing reassurance for residents, is a deterrent for criminals and is invaluable in providing evidence for prosecutions. Our message to local people is that we will take action where there is evidence of criminal activity, and we have a witness protection scheme to make sure you can give evidence without fear of reprisals.”

Julie Fadden, Chief Executive of South Liverpool Housing, added:- “South Liverpool Housing fully support and cooperate with the invaluable work and effort of Merseyside Police and partners working in this area, to ensure our neighbourhoods are safe and secure for all residents.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Speke neighbourhood office on:- 0151 777 5252 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.

DIGITAL INCLUSION AND INTERNET CHAMPION SEARCH

ON 13 November 2009 Age Concern and Help the Aged’s search for an Internet Champion, supported by BT, draws to a close. "We have experienced an overwhelming response from people whose lives have been transformed by technology, however there is still time for anyone 55 and over who has actively embraced the internet to consider applying. More than 10 million people have never used the internet, of which 6.4 million are over the age of 65. Worryingly older people also represent 39% of the four million adults in the UK who are both socially and digitally excluded. Often it’s the people facing the toughest times who have the most to gain from what the internet has to offer. From the ability to keep in contact with friends and family, to the cost savings that can be made by shopping online, everyone has the right to the social and economic opportunities that the web has to offer. The internet is rapidly becoming a tool for everyday life and we hope by telling their story, the successful Internet Champion will act as an ambassador for older people and inspire them to experience the benefits of the internet for themselves." said Martha Lane-Fox, Champion for Digital Inclusion   For more information on the search or for information about how you can get online, please call:- 0208 765 7200 or visit:- ageconcern.org.uk/it.