NEWS CCR-PS EMPLOYMENT ALL-TIME HIGH


UK EMPLOYMENT has reached an all-time high of 73.5% – and over the last year employment growth has outstripped every other major economy. Unemployment has dropped to 5.5%,


and there are more than half a million more people in work compared with a year ago. Employment minister Priti Patel said


the government has taken action to reform the welfare system. The number of people claiming the main out-of-work benefits has fallen by one million since 2010. Long-term unemployment has also


seen the largest annual fall in 17 years, supported by the Work Programme, which is the biggest single payment by


results employment programme Britain has ever seen. The number of vacancies in the


economy is now over 700,000 at any one time across the UK. Ms Patel, said: “Our


long-term


economic plan is creating a better, more prosperous future for Britain, with employment at an all-time high and more women in work than ever before. Behind the statistics are countless stories of individual hard work and determination – of people feeling more financially secure with a regular wage. “I want to continue to ensure our


welfare reforms are giving people the skills and opportunities to move into work to give everyone in our country the


SMITH COMMISSION AGREEMENT TO BE LAW


LEGISLATION has been introduced with the aim of delivering on the Smith Commission Agreement to make the Scottish Parliament one of the world’s most powerful devolved parliaments. The Scotland Bill will deliver on the


Smith Commission Agreement signed up to by all of Scotland’s main political parties. As he introduced the new legislation,


Scottish secretary David Mundell said the UK government had moved quickly to deliver on its commitment to provide Holyrood with new powers and the onus was now on the Scottish government to tell the Scottish people what they were planning to do with these powers. The substantial new powers contained


in the Scotland Bill include: t Enabling the Scottish Parliament to set the thresholds and rates of income tax in Scotland and keep all the money raised in Scotland. t Providing the Scottish Parliament with the first 10% VAT revenue raised in Scotland (currently half of those revenues). t Devolving Air Passenger Duty and the Aggregates Levy to the Scottish Parliament.


June 2015


t Giving the Scottish Parliament around £2.5bn worth of new welfare powers. Employment minister Priti Patel said:


“The UK and Scottish governments will agree a new fiscal framework to ensure Scotland enjoys the benefits of economic decision-making closer to home within a strong and secure UK system and shared UK currency.” Mr Mundell also said the government


was intending for the Scotland Bill to be approved in time for Scotland’s political parties to set out their plans for the new powers ahead of the May 2016 Scottish Parliament elections. He said: “The government has moved


quickly to deliver on our commitment to make Holyrood one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world. “Scotland will still hold on to the


benefits of being part of the UK that people voted for in the referendum last September. Sharing risks and resources is good for everyone when it comes to vital matters such as pensions, currency, trade and national security. “We made a promise to turn the all-


party Smith Commission agreement into law and we are now doing that.”


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chance to make the most of their lives.” This week the government announced


it would be bringing in new measures to support a further 2 million rise in employment, and helping people with childcare. The measures include: t Young unemployed people required to take part


in training or work


placements as part of new, tougher Day One Work Requirements for young people. t Increasing free childcare for three to four year olds from 15 to 30 hours. t Tax-free childcare for every child so parents get 20% off. t Reducing the benefit cap to £23,000 to ensure people are always better off in work.


DVLA LICENCE SHARE SERVICE NOW ONLINE


CITIZENS can now view and share their driving licence information online. From 8 June, the paper counterpart to


the photocard driving licence will not be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA. The Share Driving Licence service has now moved from private to public beta. This new service allows UK driving licence holders to share their information held at DVLA with others online while ensuring they stay in control of who sees it. Although the Share Driving Licence service is now available, citizens will need to keep hold of their paper counterpart as it remains valid until 8 June 2015. A spokesman said: “You can view your


driving licence, including any endorsement or penalty points you may have, by using our free View Driving Licence service. You can also use this service to share your driving licence information with a third party such as an employer, vehicle hire company or driving school. Driving licence information shared using Share Driving Licence will only be available with the consent of the licence holder.”


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