Public sector pay expected to drop, redundancies likely

THE latest quarterly Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) and KPMG report suggests that employment in the UK’s public sector will take a beating in both workforce numbers and pay awards.

According to the report the employment index had fallen from +11 to -3 from last quarter, with redundancies “set to rise sharply in the first quarter of 2011 public sector,” and cuts planned in 52% of public employers and 77% of local governments. Estimates predict 4 out of 10 government organisations are planning redundancies in the first quarter of this year. Already one-third of NHS employers, 50% of central government and 75%in local government are likely to be affected.

With such grim news in the public sector, many are looking to the private sector to generate new jobs. Average pay in the private sector is also experiencing gains of 2.3% compared to -0.33% in the public sector.

Carmen Watson, Managing Director at Pertemps Recruitment Partnership, said:- “For some time now the Public Sector has been looking to re-engineer itself to ensure that it continues to find creative and cost-effective ways of delivering its essential front line services so the latest news comes as no surprise. Unfortunately, the public sector is now feeling the pain that private sectors felt 12-18 months ago. Job losses also include vacancies the Government is now not filling.”  Watson continued:- “It remains to be seen as to whether the private sector can counter the impact of public sector reductions. Additionally, cancellation and postponement of government projects could impact on private sector in terms of its staffing needs, the outcome of which remains to be seen."

UK unemployment rose by 49,000 to almost 2.5 million in the three months to the end of November, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures.

WIGGLES BIRTHDAY BONANZA COMES TO VUE SOUTHPORT

CHILDREN in Southport are in for a treat as Australian kids entertainers The Wiggles, celebrate their 20th birthday with a screening of ‘The Wiggles Greatest Hits In The Round’ on 12 March 2011 and 13 March 2011. The performance, which was recorded live from Sydney’s Acer Arena last December, will get children and parents a-like singing, dancing and having fun with Wiggles, Jeff, Anthony, Murray and Sam. What’s more the Wiggles will be joined by all their favourite Wiggly friends, including Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus. The performance will feature the Wiggles biggest hits including Hot Potato, Fruit Salad and Monkey Dance, all broadcast in High Definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound to give cinema goers a full experience of this fun-time extravaganza. Mark De Quervain, Sales and Marketing Director of Vue Entertainment, comments:- “It can be hard to find things to do that are child friendly and entertaining enough to keep young children’s attention. So The Wiggles are perfect for family fun in Southport. The screenings are also perfect for parents as they have been specifically set up with families in mind, so no one will be upset if children and even their parents want to sing along.”

Tickets to the live performance of The Wiggles Greatest Hits cost £5.00.

Former LFC Coach Launches New Football Academy

FORMER Liverpool FC Youth Coach and Reserve Team Coach Hugh McAuley is set to launch a series of comprehensive youth coaching programmes in Sefton. The Hugh McAuley Football Academy will kick off with 2 soccer camps in Formby and Crosby in April, with other camps scheduled across Merseyside throughout the summer.

Each camp aimed at girls and boys aged between 5 to 16 years of age, will include a broad range of activities designed to help young people to learn and develop new skills and techniques in a fun, inclusive and rewarding atmosphere. Participants will face a series of challenging and enjoyable skill sessions, small sided games and tournaments with potential for Premiership Club trials.

Hugh’s team of coaches are all FA Certified. Together they have a wealth of experience of coaching at premiership club level and have proven track records of developing young players at all levels. Hugh’s career successes include helping to develop world class players Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher and the England Captain Steven Gerrard. He has also coached professional players throughout the country from lower league through to Premiership standards.

Speaking about Hugh, Steven Gerrard said:- “I’ve known Hugh ever since I was a young boy at The Liverpool FC Academy. Hugh played a part in helping me to play at the top level. We are still in touch now and I can’t speak highly enough of him, both as a coach and a person”.

Hugh recalls some personal advice he received from the great Bill Shankly, “Do the simple things perfectly”, a principle he adopts throughout his coaching techniques.  Hugh said:- “Our aim is to encourage young players to express themselves, play without fear of making mistakes, and encourage them to make their own decisions and ultimately discover the enjoyment of football”.

The first camps will take place between 4 April  to 7 April 2011 at Redgate Primary School, Formby, closing date for applications is 31 March 2011. The second runs from 11 April  to  14 April 2011 at Holy Family Catholic High School, Crosby, closing date for applications 7 April 2011.

For more information and details on how to book places please visit their website, or call Hugh or Andrew on:- 07707 670189.

Will the vacant shop on Tulketh Street to get a new life?

WE have had reports that a large chain has taken over the lease on the vacant shop on Tulketh Street where Morrison's and then the Waitrose Store used to be located. If this is the case, it is very good news for the Town Centre and the businesses who have been horribly affected by the loss of the store. We have been in contact with the main group, alleged to be the one which has signed the lease, but they have said that they are not the ones. In recent months, the shop has been the subject of many reports of take-over, as yet we are still trying to get to the bottom of the latest whispers. We will keep you posted, as the news develops, should it indeed be true. Also if you have nay information on this, please let us know by emailing us at:- news24@southportreporter.com.