Devon's JSA claimants fall 12% in a year

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 02/18/2016 - 12:10pm

The number of Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimants in Devon has fallen by 12 per cent in a year.

JSA claims in January 2016 increased slightly by 150 compared to the previous month, December 2015 with the total now standing at 3,752 claimants.

Despite this small rise, the figure is still 12% lower than the same period last year, and 65% lower than January 2012.

A small rise in January is typical of Devon’s seasonal employment associated with the festive season.

Overall the claimant rate for Devon - the proportion of the county’s working age population-...

Ice weather warning issued for Devon

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 02/18/2016 - 11:34am

A weather warning for ice has been issued for Devon by the Met Office.

Scattered showers are expected to move into the region later today, which could be heavy and wintery showers over high ground.

Clear spells between the showers will allow temperatures to fall below freezing tonight, leading to an increased risk of ice forming on untreated surfaces.

The warning is valid from 8pm tonight (Thursday) until 10am tomorrow.

The regional five day forecast is as follows:

Today: After a cold and frosty start to the day, it'll be mostly dry and bright, with...

Samaritans answer 42,000 cries for help

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 02/18/2016 - 11:04am

There were a remarkable 42,142 contacts between members of the public and the local Exeter, Mid and East Devon branch of Samaritans during 2015.

Within that total there were 33,661 telephone calls from the public to volunteers at the branch, which operates every day of the year.

There were also 3,058 emails sent to the public who had contacted the branch, plus 4,478 SMS texts - both categories showing sharp increases on the 2014 figures.

In addition there were 166 face-to-face contacts - one-to-one discussions with volunteers at the charity’s premises in central...

Labour announce candidate for Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner role

Labour South West has announced today that the Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate in Devon and Cornwall will be Gareth Derrick.

The announcement of the candidate follows a selection process during which shortlisted candidates were subject to a ballot by local party members.

Gareth is a former Naval Commander and has experience of working in the Navy at several senior positions.

Phil Gaskin, Labour South West Regional Director, said: “I am delighted to announce that Gareth Derrick is the Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate for Devon and Cornwall.

"...

English Touring Theatre return to Exeter

English Touring Theatre return to Exeter Northcott Theatre in March with their new, critically-acclaimed, production of The Herbal Bed.

"I have always wanted that which I cannot have."

Based upon real events from Stratford-upon-Avon in the summer of 1613, The Herbal Bed is an emotional thriller recounting the public trial of Shakespeare’s daughter. Accused of adultery with her neighbour, Susanna and her husband fall under the glare of intense public scrutiny as they sue her accuser for slander.

A powerful exposé of the contradiction between human desire and social...

Threat to science due to lack of funding within schools

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 02/18/2016 - 8:16am

Recent budget cuts have proposed a threat to science in schools and the science industry as a whole. This will have a knock on effect to the accessibility of Science focused careers. The slow decline of science lessons in schools has been apparent over the past few years and a recent report from Ofsted* found that the quality of practical science in schools needed revising. Ofsted visited 180 schools and reported that standards of science were not good enough in more than a quarter them. They also found that while the intention to perform practical experiments was there, in practice it was...

South West regional coach service goes live

Stagecoach South West has launched the South West Falcon - the first dedicated 24/7 coach service connecting major locations across the South West.

Last week roadshows were held across the region giving people in Exeter, Taunton and Bristol the chance to find out more about the Falcon.

The ‘round-the-clock’ service started on Sunday 14 February (3.30am departure from Plymouth and 7am departure from Bristol) and is operating 19 journeys a day, 7 days a week between Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton, Bristol Airport and Bristol City Centre, allowing passengers to travel to their...

Moonstone Theatre presents Carter Davis Secret Agent

Event Date: 
05/03/2016 - 7:30pm
Venue: 
Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth

Re-live radio's Golden Age & see two episodes of a classic thriller serial live.

However will the radio stars be able to leave their personal hostilities at home?

Ticket Prices £10

Performance starts at 7.30pm

http://www.manorpavilion.com/

Finance in the South West event

Francis Clark’s annual Finance in the South West event, now in its 4th year running, will be taking place on Tuesday 23rd February from 08:00 to 14:00 at Exeter Racecourse.

The Seminar brings together specialists representing funding and business support available to businesses in the Heart of the South West LEP area. This year the keynote speaker will be Radio 4 business and economics journalist Jonty Bloom.

Research has indicated that there is a significant funding gap between funding available from traditional sources of funding and actual business requirements.

...

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