Unemployment in the UK has fallen, but the amount of young people out of work has risen. Figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate that unemployment dropped in the first three months of 2011 and stands at 2.48 While unemployment is down overall, it is still a concerning issue with young people, with unemployment figures among 16-24 year olds standing at 963,000, which is around 1 in 5 young adults. Yes, the news is positive but it still hasn’t improved the situation of young people looking for work. MORE >>

Diageo also intends to make its contribution to efforts to tackle youth unemployment by taking on around one hundred apprentices and graduate trainees over the term of the investment, and the company will also encourage its suppliers and construction contractors to focus on youth job creation and apprenticeships. Diageo sets out £1billion Scotch whisky investment plan. Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks business, has unveiled plans to invest over £1billion in Scotch whisky production over the next five years to meet growing global demand for its brands. MORE >>

Here is some excellent news for contractors: your payroll taxes won’t get the “jack up” that many expected. In fact, most contractors are going to pay less in unemployment next year! According to Gregoire, cuts to expected raises in unemployment and workers compensation (industrial insurance) will save Washington businesses over $357 Million next year. Unemployment is actually going down, according to reports. So, this is all good news for the Washington contractor. Lawmakers are throwing contractors a bone on payroll taxes. Last week, Gov. MORE >>

Lakehouse Chief Executive Steve Rawlings said in a statement:: “The construction industry can use its expertise to help reconstruct these communities; but it also has a responsibility to help alleviate the issues of deprivation and unemployment that contribute to the problem.”. After four days of riots shocked the UK and cost millions of pounds worth of damage, the focus is now on rebuilding areas devastated by rioting and looting in areas across London, Manchester and Birmingham. But a new initiative may help to change that. What do you think of the Riot Rebuild and other campaigns? MORE >>

RMI work can deliver jobs quickly on the ground across all regions, including creating openings for unemployed young people as its nature offers ‘hands-on’ jobs suitable for school-leavers. Business leaders at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) have called on the government to bring forward a higher level of investment to the construction sector in a bid to stimulate the building engineering industry and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. In addition, RMI projects generally have the advantage of shorter procurement timescales.”. MORE >>