Trade union membership fell slightly in 2010 compared with 2009. Membership density fell 0.8% to 26.6% and membership fell by 179,000 or 2.7% to 6.5m. During this time employment actually increased by almost 0.5% between 2009 and 2010. Density in the private sector fell by 0.9% and by 0.3% in the public sector acording to statistics from the Labout Force Survey and published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the ONS.
The professional occupations reported the largest percentage of union density with 43.7%. Sales occupations were lowest with 12.9%. Females are now more likely to be union members than males whether by age, public sector, workplace size, job or other individual characteristics.
Geographically, density rose in Scotland by 0.5% to 32.3% but the other nations recorded falls of 0.9% in England and Wales and 4.2% in N.Ireland. The trend over the last 10 years shows that trade union density has fallen by about 3% in England, Scotland and N.Ireland and by about 5% in Wales. The North East recorded the largest fall in trade union density of 7.4% over the last 10 years. The East of England recorded the smallest fall of 1%. The last 10 years has also seen an increase in union density in the professional and administrative services, wholesale, retail trade and motor repair sectors but fell in the other sectors. Water supply, electricity and gas recorded the biggest falls of over 15% each.
Trade union presence reached 46.1% in 2010, a fall of 0.5% on 2009 and 2.8% over the last 10 years (2010). Collective agreements affected the pay and conditions of over 30% of employees from 36.4% in 2000. They covered 16.8% of private sector employees and 64.5% of public sector employees. The public sector accounted for 62.4% of union members, professional, associated professional and technical occupations accounted for 45.5% of all trade union members.
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Small Increase In Green Belt
In March 2011 the area of designated Green Belt in England was 1,639,540 hectares or 13% of the land area of England. London and the wider South East account for over half a million hectares (554,670 ha.) and then the West Midlands with over a quarter of a million hectares(269,380 ha.). The regions with the smallest area of Green Belt were East Anglia (26,030 ha) and the North East (72,990 ha.). Actual boundary changes that result in increases or decreases are rare. The changes that made a difference this time were increases in Slough (30 ha.) and the Vale of the White Horse (less than 5 ha.). A decrease was recorded in Enfield (30 ha.)
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Farm Diversification In England 2009/10
A release from Defra giving estimates from the Farm Business Survey 2009/10 shows that about half of ther total number of farms accounted for 91% of farmed land and 96% of agricultural production. The main results from the survey are that 50% of farms diversified in 2009/10 and 27% diversified in other than letting out buildings.
The overall percentage of farms with any diversified activities has remained stable since 2006/7. The total income from diversification was £360m in 2009/10 which accounted for 15% of total farm income in 2009/10. On 23% of farms diversification provided more income than the rest of the farm. The most common type of diversification is letting out buildings for non-farming use at 36% and on the farms it generates 73% of total diversified income and over half diversified output. More farms ceased to diversify in 2008/9 than started with 3,100 discontinuing and 2,500 starting for the first time.
Regional variations exist and 73% of farms in the South East have diversified enterprises whereas only 41% of farms in the North West diversified. In most regions total income from diversification was 15% but in the South East it was 36%. The are with the lowest % of farm income from diversification was the East Midlands with 8%. In the North East and Yorkshire/Humberside it was 15% (second after the South East). After the letting of buildings for non-farm use, sport and recreation was a popular form of diversified activity with an incidience rate of 19% in the South East and 11% nationally and 14% of farms in the South East also had enterprises involving the processing and retailing of farm produce. Other popular activities included tourist accomodation and catering at 5%.
Average income from off-farm employment and self-employment was highest on very large farms at £21,400 per farm. The biggest age groups with diversified activities were the 55-64 and 65 and over age groups and the 55-64 age group has the largest share of output from diversified enterprises at £270m.
The average diversified output was £25,800 but 53% of diversified enterprises had an output value of less than £10,000 and 10% less than £1,000 and 12% have an annual output of £50,000 or more. Total farm income fell in 2009/10 after increasing for the previous four years.
The overall percentage of farms with any diversified activities has remained stable since 2006/7. The total income from diversification was £360m in 2009/10 which accounted for 15% of total farm income in 2009/10. On 23% of farms diversification provided more income than the rest of the farm. The most common type of diversification is letting out buildings for non-farming use at 36% and on the farms it generates 73% of total diversified income and over half diversified output. More farms ceased to diversify in 2008/9 than started with 3,100 discontinuing and 2,500 starting for the first time.
Regional variations exist and 73% of farms in the South East have diversified enterprises whereas only 41% of farms in the North West diversified. In most regions total income from diversification was 15% but in the South East it was 36%. The are with the lowest % of farm income from diversification was the East Midlands with 8%. In the North East and Yorkshire/Humberside it was 15% (second after the South East). After the letting of buildings for non-farm use, sport and recreation was a popular form of diversified activity with an incidience rate of 19% in the South East and 11% nationally and 14% of farms in the South East also had enterprises involving the processing and retailing of farm produce. Other popular activities included tourist accomodation and catering at 5%.
Average income from off-farm employment and self-employment was highest on very large farms at £21,400 per farm. The biggest age groups with diversified activities were the 55-64 and 65 and over age groups and the 55-64 age group has the largest share of output from diversified enterprises at £270m.
The average diversified output was £25,800 but 53% of diversified enterprises had an output value of less than £10,000 and 10% less than £1,000 and 12% have an annual output of £50,000 or more. Total farm income fell in 2009/10 after increasing for the previous four years.
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
House Prices Higher Than August Last Year
House prices in the UK were 8.3% up on August last year and 0.7% up on last month according to the DCLG. The average price of a house in the UK in August was £213,116. Prices in creased in England, Wales and Scotland but fell in N.Ireland. First time buyers were paying 8.2% more than last year and former owners were paying 8.3% more. New property prices were 8.6% more and pre-owned property was 8.3% higher than August last year.
Friday, 10 September 2010
River Water Quality Continues To Improve
The annual river water quality results for 2009 were published recently by Defra. River water quality is one of the 68 sustainable development indicators and measures biological and chemical river water quality annually. The indicator represents the proportion of river water considered to be of good quality measured in terms of river length.
The main findings suggest that 73% of English rivers surveyed were of good biological quality in 2009 from 72% in 2008. They also suggest that 80% were of good chemical quality from 79% in 2008. It is the fifth consecutive year of improvement in chemical river water quality.
The main findings suggest that 73% of English rivers surveyed were of good biological quality in 2009 from 72% in 2008. They also suggest that 80% were of good chemical quality from 79% in 2008. It is the fifth consecutive year of improvement in chemical river water quality.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
House Prices Up 10.1% On Last Year
The House Price Index (HPI) from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for April 2010 went up by 10.1% between April 2009 and April 2010 and 0.4% on March. The average house price was £207,516 in April 2010 and the all dwellings index was 174.4.
Annual average house prices in England went up 10.9%, in Scotland 2.2% and in Wales 11.3% but N.Ireland house prices fell by 8.9%. First time buyers paid 12.2% more than a year ago. Average prices for former owner/occupiers were 9.3% higher. New properties were 7.6% more than last year and pre-owned houses were up 10.3%.
House prices rose in all regions of the UK except Yorkshire and Humber where prices fell 0.5%. East Midlands saw the biggest increase with a rise in prices of 2.7%. Over the year to April all regions have seen an increase in house prices. The largest increases were in London where there were price rises of 16.8%.
The average price for a house in England in April was £214,863, in Scotland £162,392, in Wales £151,079 and in N.Ireland £163,201. The English region with the highest average house price was London. The North East was the lowest with £139,595. The regions with an average house price above the national average were the East of England, London, the South East and the South West.
Annual average house prices in England went up 10.9%, in Scotland 2.2% and in Wales 11.3% but N.Ireland house prices fell by 8.9%. First time buyers paid 12.2% more than a year ago. Average prices for former owner/occupiers were 9.3% higher. New properties were 7.6% more than last year and pre-owned houses were up 10.3%.
House prices rose in all regions of the UK except Yorkshire and Humber where prices fell 0.5%. East Midlands saw the biggest increase with a rise in prices of 2.7%. Over the year to April all regions have seen an increase in house prices. The largest increases were in London where there were price rises of 16.8%.
The average price for a house in England in April was £214,863, in Scotland £162,392, in Wales £151,079 and in N.Ireland £163,201. The English region with the highest average house price was London. The North East was the lowest with £139,595. The regions with an average house price above the national average were the East of England, London, the South East and the South West.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Wild Birds In Britain's Countryside
A recent statistical release from Defra provides the latest figures on the bird populations on farmland and woodland and all-native wild birds in the English Government Office Regions between 1994-2008.
The statistics say that between 1994-2008 farmland birds declined by 10% or more in five of the Government's Regions namely the South-West, South East, the East of England, the East Midlands and the West Midlands. The South East reported the largest decline of 23% below the 1994 baseline. The overall farmland birds indicator fell by 11% in that period. At the national level, there were declines of over 25% in Corn Bunting, Linnet, Grey Partridge, Yellow Wagtail, Starling and Turtle Dove and increases of over 25% in Jackdaw, Goldfinch, Tree Sparrow, Woodpigeon and Whitethroat.
The woodland bird indicator increased by more than 10% between 1994 and 2008 in four regions - the North West, the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside and the East Midlands. The indicator fell in two regions, the South East and the South West. The largest regional increase was in the North West at 43%. Yorkshire and Humberside came next with a 31% increase. The overall woodland bird indicator for England fell 6% over the same period. Nationally, there were declines of over 50% in Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker and increases of over 50% in Spotted Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Willow Tit.
The all-native bird indicator for England increased by 3%. The all-native bird population indicator increased by 10% in three regions, Yorkshire and Humberside, the North East and the North West. The biggest increase was in the North West with 26%.
The data for the Defra statistical reports were based on annual data from the British Trust for Ornithology's Breeding Bird Survey (BBS).
The statistics say that between 1994-2008 farmland birds declined by 10% or more in five of the Government's Regions namely the South-West, South East, the East of England, the East Midlands and the West Midlands. The South East reported the largest decline of 23% below the 1994 baseline. The overall farmland birds indicator fell by 11% in that period. At the national level, there were declines of over 25% in Corn Bunting, Linnet, Grey Partridge, Yellow Wagtail, Starling and Turtle Dove and increases of over 25% in Jackdaw, Goldfinch, Tree Sparrow, Woodpigeon and Whitethroat.
The woodland bird indicator increased by more than 10% between 1994 and 2008 in four regions - the North West, the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside and the East Midlands. The indicator fell in two regions, the South East and the South West. The largest regional increase was in the North West at 43%. Yorkshire and Humberside came next with a 31% increase. The overall woodland bird indicator for England fell 6% over the same period. Nationally, there were declines of over 50% in Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker and increases of over 50% in Spotted Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Willow Tit.
The all-native bird indicator for England increased by 3%. The all-native bird population indicator increased by 10% in three regions, Yorkshire and Humberside, the North East and the North West. The biggest increase was in the North West with 26%.
The data for the Defra statistical reports were based on annual data from the British Trust for Ornithology's Breeding Bird Survey (BBS).
Friday, 8 May 2009
Bank Maintains Interest Rates At 0.5%
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee decided at their meeting on 7 May 2009 that the bank rate will stay at 0.5% on commercial bank reserves. The MPC also decided to increase the size of its asset purchase programme by £50 billion to £125 billion. The world economy remains in deep recession, global output has contracted and international trade has fallen. The increase in private saving, the restructuring of balance sheets by banks and weaker global demand will continue to hold back economic activity. Another factor acting in the other direction is the stimulus given by governments around the world to improve the availability of credit by easing in monetary and fiscal policies. It was decided that as the stimulus is expected to eventually lead to a recovery in economic growth and inflation to return to the 2% target, the interest rate should remain at 0.5% and also to continue with the programme of asset purchases financed by the issuance of central bank reserves and increase its size to £125 billion.
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