Central Recession News

There are more jobs available now in the West Midlands, compared with the first three months of last year.

Figures released today show that the number has gone up by almost 10 percent.

The biggest rises have been in the accountancy and education industries, whilst the number of available jobs in the customer services industry has gone down.

Although a rise in employment opportunities is welcomed news, we continue to see a fall in full-time permanent positions, rising underemployment and increases in inactivity.

The government, local authorities and businesses must continue to work together to strengthen the fragile recovery and return unemployment figures back to precession levels in the West Midlands.

• Money
• Recession
• jobs

More than 200 people are being made redundant at a food processing factory in Leicester.

The 2 Sisters Food Group said it plans to close its RF Brookes food manufacturing site in the city.

• Business
• Employment
• Recession

Responding to the news that Jaguar Land Rover is to create 1000 new jobs at its Halewood factory in the North West, Unite national officer, Roger Maddison said:

"This is another major vote of confidence for the skills and dedication of the entire workforce across Jaguar Land Rover. These new jobs come on top of 1,000 jobs currently being taken up in Solihull in the West Midlands."

• Politics
• jobs
• Jaguar Land Rover

Business Secretary Vince Cable, who met Jaguar Land Rover's senior management last week about increasing production at Halewood, said:

"It is excellent news that Jaguar Land Rover is taking on another 1,000 people and increasing shifts at its Halewood plant to meet strong global demand for its products.

Today's announcement is further evidence of the strength of the UK automotive sector and will also have a positive impact on growth in local supply chains."

• Politics
• jobs
• Jaguar Land Rover