OSBORNE ATTACKS GOVERNMENT'S PLANNED NATIONAL INSURANCE RISE
Shadow Chancellor George Osborne has called Labour's proposed National Insurance rises "the economics of the madhouse" and has said that under the Tories the impact of the NI hike would be offset by raising thresholds for the levy. For employees earning up to £35,000, the threshold would rise by £24 a week, while the upper earnings limit for contributions would increase by £29 a week.
MAJORITY OF BUSINESSES ARE UNIMPRESSED BY BUDGET
More than two-thirds of businesses believe Chancellor Alistair Darling is doing a bad job, following the announcement of the Budget last week. A survey of 1,200 business leaders by the Institute of Directors found that 45% thought last week's Budget would damage the economy, while only 16% felt it would have a positive effect. In total 64% of business leaders thought the fiscal deficit would worsen following the Budget. Only 12% thought it would improve.
WORKPLACE CONFLICTS 'SET TO RISE'
The number of workplace conflicts occurring in the UK could increase as the country emerges from the recession, employment relations service Acas has said. It said that further periods of job uncertainty, low engagement levels, and loss of trust are key factors in triggering workplace conflict. The spiralling cost of corporate pension schemes and the need for employers to control costs could also provide a battleground for management and employees.
PUBLIC SECTOR FIGHTS OFF SICKNESS
Public sector staff are more likely to come into work when sick than private sector employees, research by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has revealed. Within the past year 41% of public sector staff went into work sick, compared with 36% of private sector workers.