Competition for jobs will remain strong in 2010

By James Caan

Published: 8:19AM GMT 18 Jan 2010

Can we turn our fortunes and confidence around for the coming decade? If I
were an employer hiring at the start of 2010, what would I be looking for in
a job hunter’s CV?

This year is an important one, as we’ll have a general election. The
Government has been driving initiatives to help keep businesses buoyant and
to get the young back in employment. But what about the jobseekers
themselves?

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General Motors Uturn ‘best deal for Britain’

By Alastair Jamieson, James Quinn and Graham Ruddick

Published: 8:16AM GMT 04 Nov 2009

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The surprise decision by GM is a major snub to Magna International and the
German government which had agreed a deal to purchase the companies.

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Jobs cuts at Vauxhall likely as GM agrees sale to Magna

By Rowena Mason

Published: 8:50PM BST 10 Sep 2009

GM made a last-minute decision to sell its European units to the Canadian car
part company and Russia’s Sberbank, after suggesting just hours before that
it might hang on to Vauxhall in the UK and Opel in Germany.

Magna last night confirmed that it was unsure whether it can find “economically
viable ways” of keeping Vauxhall’s Luton plant open beyond 2013, when a
contract to assemble vans expires. It is committed to the future of a plant
at Ellesmere Port plant where the new Vauxhall Astra will be produced, but
unions still fear that Magna plans to make at least 800 cuts and changes to
the staff pension scheme.

The UK now faces having to offer Magna some financial support as it struggles
to minimise UK job losses over those of workers in Belgium, Spain, Poland
and Portugal.

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Fears for 5,500 Vauxhall jobs as General Motors exits Europe

By
Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:43 PM on 10th September 2009

The jobs of 5,500 workers at Vauxhall’s UK manufacturing plants are
in the balance after parent company General Motors decided to sell its
European arm to Canadian car parts firm Magna.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel today told a news conference in
Berlin the move was the outcome the German government had been working
towards as it fought to preserve the motor giant’s 25,000 jobs and four
plants in Germany.
The decision is a blow to unions in the UK which had warned about
possible job losses at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port and Luton plants if
Magna was successful.

Fears: The threat of job losses at Vauxhall plants at Ellesmere Port and Luton has increased after GM sold its European arm to Canadian car parts firm MagnaSources had suggested that the GM board was set to reject a sale, which would have eased fears of UK job losses.But later speculation confirmed GM had decided to sell its European arm to Magna, which is backed by Russia’s Sberbank.Business minister Pat McFadden said: ‘Our objective throughout has been to get the best possible outcome for the Vauxhall workforce and the production plants in the UK. We have been in close contact with all parties throughout, including GM in the US and Europe, and all the potential bidders.’Now GM has announced its preferred bidder is Magna. We will now continue our discussions with Magna.’They have told us of their commitment to continuing production at both Ellesmere Port and Luton and we will work to make sure we get the best possible outcome for the UK.’Unite’s joint general secretary Tony Woodley said: ‘The uncertainty surrounding the ownership of Vauxhall is now over, but the uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Britain’s plants will continue. One of the alternatives could have been the unthinkable position of liquidation.’Nevertheless, with Magna as the new owner, we need to make sure that British plants and people are not treated disproportionately during the restructuring that will take place. With that in mind, the union and the Government will no doubt continue to negotiate with Magna.’We expect financial support from the UK Government for Magna to be dependent on the job and plant commitments given by the company.’

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Each UK job ‘chased by 10 people’

There is now an average of 10 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in the UK, the TUC has warned.

The situation is worst in the south east of England, where the trade union body said its research found 60 people chasing each job. Read more

UK job market weakening rapidly

The UK job market weakened rapidly in November as permanent placements declined at record levels, a new survey from Markit Economics suggests.

The drop in permanent and temporary jobs was faster than at any point in the survey’s 11-year history. Read more