There were 35,000 fewer jobs in the South West at the end of last year than before the recession, according to the latest workforce Jobs figures published by the Office for National Statistics. The workforce jobs figures show that September 2007 and September 2012, the number of jobs in the South West fell by 35,000. Across the UK only three regions – London, the South East and Wales – experienced any net growth in jobs. The TUC, whose leader Frances O’Grady visits the region today (Wednesday), says job creation in key industries across the South West has not been strong enough to replace...
Devon County Council’s Library Service scooped the prestigious ‘Library of the Year’ title at the ‘Bookseller Industry Awards’ in London on Monday night.
The service, which was one of only seven from across the UK to be shortlisted, shares the coveted accolade with Dundee Library Service.
Judges praised Devon Libraries for the huge range of services they offered beyond books, describing it as a "well run, well backed service" and a "real community service with a strategic county wide approach." They were also impressed that despite a tough couple of years with significant...
Young people from churches across Devon will have the chance to say what they want the county’s next bishop to be like, in an event organised by the Diocese of Exeter. Young people will be able to record their views and thoughts on what makes for a good bishop in video diary rooms set up especially for the day. The following month, two young people will get the chance to present their ideas to the Prime Minister and Archbishop’s appointments secretaries, as part of the formal consultation process before a new bishop is appointed. The current Bishop of Exeter, Rt Revd Michael Langrish, is...
Regen SW has today written to all MPs in the South West, inviting them to pledge to develop a world-leading renewable energy industry - employing 34,000 people by the end of the decade. The pledge is at the heart of the South West Renewable Energy Manifesto, which sets out eight key commitments to put sustainable energy at the heart of our economic future.
The Manifesto is supported by Local Enterprise Partnerships from the West of England, Cornwall and the Isles of Scily, Dorset, and the Heart of South West and sponsored by Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Gilbert, Labour MP Ben...
Without support from local business, the future of a service run by local charity, St Petrock’s, is at risk. Started in 2010, St Petrock’s' Private Rented Service was set up to help address the limited accommodation options in Exeter available for single people who are homeless but do not have a statutory right to housing. While initially funded by Crisis – the national charity for single homeless people - for the first two years, this funding stream has ended and while all efforts are being made to attract funding, St Petrock’s is looking for a local Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)...
BAM Construction - Western Ltd, the contractors responsible for building the new Montgomery Primary School in Revers Road, St Thomas, have won a prestigious National Gold Award from the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
The annual awards, run by the Scheme, recognise the highest levels of consideration and care shown by construction sites throughout the UK towards their local neighbourhood, the general public, site staff and the environment. Only 77 UK sites achieved the gold standard this year from over 7000, making this site’s achievement particularly significant.
Half of all women working in the South West earn less than the Living Wage, according to new research by Fair Play South West. The gender equality organisation supported by Equality South West has analysed provisional data from the Office of National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, and learned that while just 19% of men in the South West earn less than £7.45 per hour, the figure for women is 47%. Jackie Longworth, Chair of Fair Play South West, said: "Women workers suffer from the double whammy that they earn less per hour than men and they work fewer paid hours per week...
Exeter Chiefs' head coach Rob Baxter believes the efforts his players have put in this season in the Aviva Premiership means they should be crowned with a place amongst Europe's elite next term.
With just tomorrow's sold-out home date against Gloucester remaining for the Devon club, they enter into Round 22 knowing a Heineken Cup place is within their grasp. Victory for the Chiefs this weekend will not only guarantee them of the final qualification spot, but it could also see Baxter's side leapfrog their rivals in the league standings and potentially claim fifth spot for a second...
Exeter-based Aspect Windows is set to become the only windows solution company to offer its customers a Passive House Design service. The desire to build Passive Houses, ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling, is growing rapidly and becoming an essential skill for architects and consultants.
Aspect Windows is already leading the way in energy-efficiency in Devon and the South West, helping customers to safeguard the environment and cut their heating bills and as part of this new generation, Director of sales and special projects, Andrew...
Radiance MediSpa, an Exeter-based business, opened the doors of its new pioneering premises to the public with a launch day on Saturday 27 April 2013. The event celebrated a significant growth stage for the business, which has been supported by business growth service, GrowthAccelerator.
Radiance MediSpa has been launched by Dr Ros Debenham offering non-invasive skin and body treatments ranging from laser hair restoration to non-surgical liposuction – some of which are exclusive in the South West. A mother and daughter team, the business offers a full range of beauty and...
