Jobsgopublic News

A group of MPs have drawn up a petition to garner aid for voluntary organisations struggling to weather the current economic turmoil.

Third Sector has reported that it noted that these groups are crucial to helping the government meet targets for social policy, ending child poverty and supporting those which are worst affected at times of economic crisis such as this.

Furthermore, the petition claimed that these organisations are some of the best equipped with the largest talent pool to engage with those who are most disadvantaged and therefore should not be marginalised.

Lindsay Hoyle, Labour MP for Chorley in Cheshire, wrote as part of the petition that this is a call on the Office of the Third Sector "to introduce the necessary measures to help voluntary organisations, both small and large, cope with the challenges they face".

Meanwhile, the Small Charities Coalition recently announced that it is to set up a new website aimed at helping voluntary organisations gain access to the various resources and skills which they need to achieve their aims.

More about talent pools.

Those working for a local authority in Essex are offering an improved level of services to its residents, it has been reported.

Southend borough council’’s Supporting People programme has been deemed by the Audit Commission to have "promising" prospects for achieving future improvements for the initiative, which provides housing-related support services to vulnerable people.

Furthermore, the local authority was praised for ensuring that there are effective performance management systems in place, in addition to taking the time to make sure that governance arrangements are robust.

Mark Elsworth, lead housing inspector for the Audit Commission in the east, said: "The Supporting People team has done well to bring about improvements in the way that the programme is managed and administered, particularly as this affects some of the most vulnerable people in Southend."

Such news could be of interest to those seeking work in the public sector via a regional recruitment portal.

In July, the Audit Commission claimed that Wandsworth council’’s Supporting People programme was providing a "good" level of service.

More regional recruitment portal information.

Working in the public sector is now a much more attractive proposition than having a job with a private company.

Such is the assertion of Gerwyn Davies, public policy adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), who claims that the private sector has seen significant decline in recent months.

Two years ago the CIPD adviser claimed there were a significant amount of vacancies for private firms, with wages for such workers said to be above those received by their public sector peers. However, this is now said to have "changed very quickly", with recruitment opportunities in the private sector now at a standstill.

He said: "There are more opportunities and there is no doubt that public sector employment has gone up in the most recent quarter and that’’s against the background of a big increase in unemployment."

Now, pay for those working for local councils and other public sector bodies has increased, in news that could interest those seeking work via a regional recruitment portal.

Earlier this month, figures from Industrial Relations Services showed that in the three months ending in November, the median basic pay award for an employee was at 3.8 per cent - the first time it has been higher than the equivalent inflation figure for over two years.

More regional recruitment portal information.

Those working for a local authority in the West Midlands are taking steps to ensure that they pay their suppliers more quickly, it has been reported.

It has been reported that Herefordshire council now takes an average of 16.41 days to make a payment, in comparison to periods of 30 days or longer that some private firms were reported to take.

Councillor Harry Bramer, cabinet member for resources, said: "Herefordshire council wants to support local business by paying as promptly as it can, as managing cash flow can be a huge burden on many self employed people and small businesses."

He added that as many of the suppliers it works with are local, the council hopes to help them free up more time to focus on their business as the credit crisis continues.

The news could be of interest to other public sector bodies that are looking to improve sustainable efficiencies.

Meanwhile, the Audit Commission recently reported that the majority of local councils are prepared for the difficulties that the economic downturn may cause them.

More about sustainable efficiencies.

Pay awards for UK workers have shown signs of improvement, it has been reported.

Figures released by Industrial Relations Services (IRS), reveals that in the three-month period leading up to November 2008 the median basic pay award for employees - which could include those working in the public sector - stood at 3.8 per cent.

The equivalent figure for inflation, meanwhile, stood at three per cent, the first time it has been below the pay award for more than two and a half years.

Sheila Attwood, of IRS, said: "It will be welcome news for employees to see that their pay rises are finally worth more than inflation."

Meanwhile, the median basic pay award for the 12-month period ending in November was 3.5 per cent, with about half of all those given standing between 2.5 and 2.8 per cent, in news that could interest those seeking work via a regional recruitment portal.

Earlier this month, the TUC called for the Low Pay Commission to increase the national minimum wage by 37 pence an hour as of October 2009.

More about regional recruitment portal information.