Infozone: the briefing – 30/04/10
PEOPLE 1ST'S SKILLS SITE DOUBLES ITS MEMBERSHIP
More than 50,000 employees and jobseekers are now registered on People 1st's skills portal, uksp.co.uk (formerly the Skills Passport).
This means that the number of users on the site - which pulls together information on jobs, careers, funding, employers, training and qualifications in hospitality - has more than doubled in the past 12 months.
Interest in UKSP has grown rapidly since People 1st stopped charging users to join the site. Simone Roche, head of UKSP development and delivery, said: "It sends a really positive message to employers who are looking to recruit motivated people with a real understanding of their industry."
SMES WORRIED ABOUT POSSIBLE HUNG PARLIAMENT
Nearly two-thirds of small and medium-sized businesses are worried about a hung Parliament after the election, research has revealed. In a British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) survey of 300 companies, 65% were "concerned" or "very concerned" about the potential for there being no clear mandate if there is no overall majority at the polls.
Just 13% thought that the outcome - which is a clear possibility after a surge in support for the Liberal Democrats - would be a "good thing".
David Frost, BCC director-general, said: "With our economy still fragile and the public finances in a dire state, the overwhelming concern is whether a hung Parliament will provide decisive action around the UK's unsustainable deficit."
