Research by the Prince’s Trust show that deprived young people are being hit by the recession worst, and more is to come. Claims for jobseeker’s allowance by 18- to-24-year-olds have risen by more than 80 per cent in the past year, totalling more than 450,000 young people. At the same time, youth charities are facing
Leaders of religious faiths, humanists and academics have written to Chancellor Alistair Darling demanding more action to improve the lives of children in poverty. There is a ‘moral imperative’ to help the country’s poorest during a recession, they argue. And because poorer families immediately spend money on their basics, giving them assistance also helps stimulate
Economists have been quick to dampen speculation that the housing market has hit the bottom after yesterday’s figures from Halifax showing house prices had increased 2.6 per cent in May. The jump in house price inflation was the third in the past 21 months, but even Halifax cautioned reading too much into the figure. Other
A report has said that five new supercities will evolve in the coming 20 years as the country increasingly focuses on new economic endeavours based on scientific innovation. The report Future of Business said changes were being driven by the recession which will push new ways of working, increase international business and encourage entrepreneurship. It
Economic gains in deprived parts of Wales in the past 10 years have been wiped out by the recession, and worse is still to come. A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and New Policy Institute found that, compared with other parts of the UK, economic recovery since 1997 was slower to kick in and
More than 1.6 million young people aged 18 to 24 are living with friends or family, nearly triple the number doing the same things this time last year. Research by Abbey Mortgages also found that among the 35 to 54 age group, more than 300,000 people are living rent free under someone’s roof, and said
Optimism in the construction industry is at its highest level since the start of the credit crunch in August 2007, a survey of purchasing managers has found. The index from the Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply is still at an historically low level, but has been slowly rising since its trough in July 2008.
The number of people living in overcrowded homes in England will soar 15 per cent to 2.6 million by 2011 as unemployment and repossessions bite, the National Housing Federation warned today. It says an extra 350,000 people would be living in overcrowded conditions in the next two years, exacerbated by the economic slowdown which has
Planning applications received by district-level authorities in England in the past quarter are down 30 per cent in year on year figures, Communities and Local Government data shows, with decisions made on residential developments of 10 or more homes falling by 46 per cent. The CLG acknowledged that the recession has had an impact on
Borrowers over 45 have been hit by rising unemployment and falling house prices, and declaring themselves bankrupt at the highest rate of any other age group. Accountants Wilkins Kennedy found that 38 per cent of individuals who were declared bankrupt last year were over 45, and this figure had doubled in the past five years.