News digest 15 October 2010
The digest starts with good news for UK
manufacturing as a deal is secured at Jaguar Land Rover and there’s
agreement at Tunnock’s too although London bus workers are still
out on strike. There’s the cull of the quangos, while the
UShas concerns about UKdefence cuts
and the government has gold plated pensions in its sights before
it’s on to boardroom battles in the pub industry and some
interesting news on why plane food is plain.
Jaguar Land
Rover factory saved – Breaking reports that a deal
agreed yesterday will see both Castle Bromwich and Solihill stay
open. Unite regional secretary Gerard Coyne said: "It's
an excellent deal and we are very pleased that this now secures the
future for Castle Bromwich, but also a commitment to a three-site
solution for JLR in the
UK, which is great
news." A two year pay deal has also been agreed with
five per cent for 2010 and RPI plus half a per cent or three per
cent whichever is higher. Members will now vote on the proposals
(BBC News, Telegraph
b2).
Tunnock’s deal sealed - Pay
dispute at Tunnock's bakery, where Caramel wafers and Teacakes are
made, ends as deal accepted. Staff agree a third pay offer which
will see a backdated rise of 2.5 per cent, followed by a further
2.5 per cent increase next July. Unite regional officer, Derek
Ormston, said: “Our members were balloted on the
improved offer and accepted it by a significant majority. All
future industrial action is therefore cancelled and the dispute is
now over.” (Unite release)
Bank of
Scotland Ireland action
suspended - Staff at Bank of Scotland (Ireland) have put
off industrial action they had planned for next week after parent
company Lloyds confirmed that it has signed a deal with local
management in Dublin to wind down the operation in Ireland.
CT Plus strike again – Latest
day of action in dispute over pay, action will run until 0400
Saturday 16 October.
FBU backs strike action – 79
per cent of FBU’s London members back action over mass sacking and
re-employment on inferior contracts, action possible on bonfire
night (Morning
Star p3, Times p13,
Express p2).
Quangos culled – All papers
report on the so-called bonfire of the quangos, although many say
its seems more like a light barbecue. 192 will go but many papers
ask what the real savings will be, the government does not have an
answer. Unite joint general secretary, Tony Woodley, said:
”The fact that cabinet office minister Francis Maude is
unable to say how much will be saved and how many jobs will be
affected by this cull shows the threadbare nature of the thinking
behind these abolition plans. There has been little or no
consultation on these proposals from this ‘we are all in this
together’ government.” One of the other bodies to be
culled is the Agricultural Wages Board. Unite national officer, Ian
Waddell, argued: "The government's decision to press
ahead with abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board will have dire
consequences for farming and farm workers. Living standards across
rural communities in
Englandand
Waleswill fall as a
result.” (Sun
p25, Morning Star
p1, Indie p2, Guardian p8-9).
Defence cuts slammed – US
secretary of state Hillary Clinton admits to ‘worries’ about the
scale of UK defence cuts (Mirror p15, Sun p2, Express p10, Mail p1, Times p1, Telegraph p1)
Fairness premium - £5 billion
pupil premium to be announced by Nick Clegg as evidence that
manifesto promises are being delivered. Plan is to offer premium
for one million disadvantaged children and support pre-school
education although the Guardian (p17) notes that a fifth
of British children are living in ‘severe poverty’ so is a long way
to go (Sun p2, Express p1, Mail p2).
Top earners pensions targeted
– Most papers report that 100,000 top earners will see tax relief
on their pensions capped in what many papers report as a £4 billion
raid on the wealthy, but is actually just a limit on a tax free
allowance (Guardian p34,
Times p53, Indie p44, Express p4).
Forgemasters not affordable –
And Vince Cable is quizzed by the business select committee where
he argues that the government was unable to borrow £80 million to
loan to the company, I know banks aren’t lending but if the
business secretary can’t even get a loan from state owned banks
then it looks like a bleak future for Britain’s business, seems
that Cable has turned from a man of steel into a bean counter
(Telegraph b8).
Axed public sector workers will
struggle to find jobs – New survey of 505 firms says
public sector workers may find it hard to get work in private
sector over a mix of lack of jobs and private sector demands
(Times p61).
M&S hiring – But if you
want a part-time job in Marks & Spencer there are 20,000 up for
grabs, although only for the xmas period (Sun p14).
Diageo sees Asian growth –
Sales rise by five per cent to £2.06 billion, although growth in
European market is troubled (Express p66, FT p21).
Pub tie complaint rejected –
OFT rejects complaint over fixed inflated prices for tied
landlords, Camra says it will challenge the ruling (Express p66).
Boardroom bust up? – JD
Wetherspoon shake up as chief operating officer and finance
director are ousted (Indie p46, Telegraph b6, FT p19).
No taste in airline food –
And finally scientists have worked out that white noise in
airplanes dulls your taste buds, so the next time you are
disappointed by your gourmet meal don’t blame the chef, blame the
engineers (Indie
p13).
Edited by Mik Sabiers
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