Unemployment watch

[NoddY]

Further rise in UK unemployment

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5171932.stm

"The number of people out of work in the UK has risen again, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported."

[DimPrawn]

I blame the legacy of the Tories. Only hope is to vote in New Labour again. And again. And again.

[Clog II The Avenger]

From the sidebar on that BEEB page:

Economic growth revised upward
Further rise in UK jobless total
Energy bills push up UK inflation
UK trade gap expands to £5.75bn
Surprise dip in UK manufacturing

The only surprise about a dip in UK manufacturing is that we still actually make something in this country.

Economic growth revised upward? Must be all those industrious Polish plumbers.

The last “manufacture” I visited was in Dorset. They were unpacking power consumption meters made in Taiwan and sticking Made in England badges on them.

[Troll]

More immigrants is the only answer

[Pondlife]

The last “manufacture” I visited was in Dorset. They were unpacking power consumption meters made in Taiwan and sticking Made in England badges on them.

I'm on a manufacturing site right now. All UK manufactured product shipped all over the world. Client is also one of the most profitable companies in the UK.

[Troll]

I'm on a manufacturing site right now. All UK manufactured product shipped all over the world. Client is also one of the most profitable companies in the UK.

Only a matter of time before they move to a lower cost base

[DimPrawn]

I'm on a manufacturing site right now. All UK manufactured product shipped all over the world. Client is also one of the most profitable companies in the UK.

Yes, the UK make the best military hardware. Can't beat a bomb with made in Britain on it.

[Pondlife]

Only a matter of time before they move to a lower cost base

They have sites all over the world but the one in the UK is the most efficient (ie automated)

[Troll]

They have sites all over the world but the one in the UK is the most efficient (ie automated)

But the actual manufacture is only one part of the equation

Transport
Raw Materials
Energy costs
H&S bollux

[Pondlife]

But the actual manufacture is only one part of the equation

Transport
Raw Materials
Energy costs
H&S bollux

I agree. The manufacturing models have changed as plant automation has increased (meaning labour requirements have diminished) and companies have moved towards locating either close to the source of their raw materials or to their customers. Also, as we've seen with offshoring, cheap labour cetainly doesn't mean quality product.