Construction output shows signs of bounceback

Vickie Mathis
01:30, Sep 10, 2016
Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.
Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.

The latest statistics on the numbers of people on zero-hours contracts show yet another failure by the Conservative government, as the figure tops almost one million.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics suggested today that construction output stayed flat between June and July - against expectations of a 0.5 per cent drop.

Nearly a million workers are on zero-hours contracts - a rise of a fifth in the past year, according to official figures.

Yet the ONS found 30 per cent of zero-hours workers wanted more hours versus 10 per cent of all workers.

The ONS releases this figure twice a year - the figure for October to December 2015 was that about 801,000 people were on zero hours contracts.

The ONS also estimates the total number of zero-hours contracts in the economy based on a survey of businesses rather than households.

While that may increase pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May to preserve trade with the European Union as she negotiates Britain's withdrawal, Brexit supporters point to the fact that the bloc sells far more to the United Kingdom than vice versa.

They had largely been expecting a fall in construction volumes on the back of a survey of purchasing managers which had recorded the steepest decline in seven years for July ahead of a recovery last month.

But the number of people affected is on the rise, as companies hire more workers on a casual basis, with 2.9 per cent of the whole workforce now zero-hours workers.

Arriving in China, Obama promotes climate legacy
The White House has attributed the accelerated pace to the unlikely partnership between Washington and Beijing on the issue. The U.S. and China are poised to lead the way in the G20 (on climate action) so other countries will follow.

Zero hours contracts mean staff do not have guaranteed weekly hours or pay and are only paid for hours worked. The ONS warns that the figures may have been influenced by greater awareness of the contracts, although it could not quantify how much of an effect there had been.

TUC general secretary Francs O'Grady hit out at the figures, arguing the contracts were an "easy way for bosses to employ staff on the cheap".

The number of zero-hours contracts appears to have increased sharply in the wake of the 2008-09 recession.

Defenders of the contracts say that young people and students benefit from their flexibility.

The Government has already banned exclusivity clauses in zero-hours contracts which prevented workers from taking jobs elsewhere.

The median hourly rate for a zero-hours worker is £7.25, while for all employees it is £11.05, the study showed.

"Since May a year ago, the use of exclusivity clauses has been unlawful, meaning that individuals have more control over their lives and can work more hours with another employer if they wish". But they are not the ones living at the sharp end of the labour market'.

- Sign the petition against zero-hours contracts.

Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.


Popular

  • "All Good With Sturridge" Says Klopp

    Perhaps Mauricio Pochettino instructed his team to drop back because the defense started conceding too much space. When told Adam Lallana was not offside for Mane's goal, Klopp replied: "Oh my God!" It was a wonderful goal.

    Obama, Putin agree to continue seeking deal on Syria

    Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in China. Merkel also said that the G20 leaders had extensive talks about fighting climate change and trade issues.
    Mother Teresa: 'Saint of the gutters' canonized at Vatican

    Mother Teresa: 'Saint of the gutters' canonized at Vatican

    But in the case of Mother Teresa, this admiration for noble suffering seems to of been projected onto others. The daughter of a friend of mine was one of those privileged to carry a relic of Saint Teresa to the altar.

  • Market Reaction to the Saudi-Russia Oil Deal

    A first meeting of the Russia-Saudi task force on oil and natural gas scheduled for this October should tell more about solutions. After a joint news conference, however, the ministers gave conflicting signals on the potential of a crude output freeze.

    Cabrera homers, drives in 4 runs as Tigers top Royals 7

    Game notes: Friday's series opener in K.C. had a postseason feel, especially with the teams traded the lead late in the game. Michael Fulmer (10-5, 2.69 ERA) gets the start for Detroit against Kansas City's Yordano Ventura (9-9, 4.33 ERA).

    Beyonce and Rihanna most tweeted topics during MTV VMAs

    The music video, which shows him looking frail in bed with bandaged eyes, was released just days before the icon's Jan 10 death. She sang songs like "We Found Love" and "Where Have You Been" - sometimes letting the backing track do most of the work.

  • Bill Clinton accuses Federal Bureau of Investigation of serving up a 'load of bull'

    The conservative legal group Judicial Watch obtained the emails as part of its lawsuit against the State Department. Trump said it showed that under Clinton, "you pay, and you're getting things". "Very imp", the email said.
    Deutsche Bank managers to examine deeper cuts to business

    Deutsche Bank managers to examine deeper cuts to business

    Both Cryan and Commerzbank chief Martin Zielke, speaking at the same conference, said Germany was burdened by too many banks.
    Xbox One and Xbox 360: The free games for September

    Xbox One and Xbox 360: The free games for September

    Xbox Live Gold members will be given four new free games for the month of September. Another free game for the Xbox One is " Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China ".
  • China blames United States, journalists for Obama airport fiasco

    China blames United States, journalists for Obama airport fiasco

    Donald Trump has a somewhat hypnotizing obsession with China, and an incident at the G-20 economic summit in Hangzhou has set him off on his latest rant.
    Canadian auto workers pick General Motors as strike target

    Canadian auto workers pick General Motors as strike target

    FCA does not want a strike to disrupt production of the new Chrysler Pacifica minivan that is built exclusively in Windsor, Ont. The Oshawa plant employs 2,400 hourly workers and builds the Chevrolet Impala, Cadillac XTS and Buick Regal.
    What to Expect at IFA 2016

    What to Expect at IFA 2016

    That doesn't mean Samsung won't have anything to show at IFA, but it likely won't have any phones on the docket. The rumours indicate at Hasselblad, the medium format camera maker introducing its own camera mod for Moto Z.

CONNECT