News | Page 22

Uxbridge-based construction group Galliford Try has managed to secure a position on a new framework with Manchester Airports Group (MAG), estimated to be worth up to £500m. As a news report on the matter reveals, the brief is for MAG’s new ‘Capital Delivery Programme’ framework, which also includes contractors Carillion and BAM Construction and which will initially run for three years with two possible further 12-month extension periods.

The Wokingham Borough Council, in partnership with the University of Reading, managed to secure an investment of £24.7m for the university’s proposed 200,000 sq ft Science and Innovation Park south of the M4 as well as 2,400 new properties. Furthermore, beside providing more housing space, this project is estimated to create around 780 new jobs, a report suggests.

Despite the horrific images of cars abandoned in the snow and motorists spending countless hours trapped on the snowy roads, it seems that Sussex transport bosses are quite happy with the level of response from the city council workers. Under severe criticism from the general public and MPs for the difficult travelling conditions across the county (and especially along the A23), council transport chiefs blamed a “perfect storm of constant sn

Although employment levels have recorded a slight increase lately, a recent report by UNISON, the largest union within the UK, reveals the fact that there are still no less than four people chasing each available job across England, Scotland and Wales. Naturally, this is just an estimate average, with the actual numbers varying between regions. For example, the worst place to be looking for a job right now is the Isle of Wight, where for every vacancy there are 23.7 people on Job Seekers Allowance.

A recent study released by the ONS reveals the fact that the number of public sector workers has reduced dramatically over the past couple of years, as a direct results of the public spending cuts imposed by the current government.

A recent report by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) urges the rapid consideration of plans to bolster the airport capacity in the Southeast region of England, the trade-related benefits far outweighing the possible environment-related concerns.

A Chelmsford man was fined after stealing a school’s pet. The bird had been cared for by pupils at The Bishops’ CofE and RC Primary School, Chelmsford.

Hundreds of London and South East high street workers face losing their jobs with the demise of veteran music shop chain HMV.

A tribunal found that Barnet Council had failed to comply with section 188 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, and regulation 13 of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2

A man who has spent most of his prison sentence in hospital has earned the mercy of the courts.

A well-known landlord, who owns 60 properties in the Ashford area, has been found guilty of electoral fraud.

Tube workers have voted for industrial action. Thirty-three employees working for Trainpeople on the Bakerloo and District lines lost their jobs after their contract with London Underground ended in December.