ACR supports attempts to limit NICs rise

The economic recovery remains intact, if tentative. Anything that threatens that delicate balance needs avoiding. And we agree with our industry body, the REC, that the proposed one per cent rise in National Insurance Contributions constitutes a threat.

The rise is set to be introduced next April. All the signs are that this is going to be a long slow recovery so any changes in National Insurance that soon could have a dramatic knock on effect.

More outgoings for employers will mean less staff are hired – indeed, some jobs may be lost.

I’m not suggesting for one minute there is an easy answer. The Government has a tough job to do repairing the public finances.

But the rise in NIC is, in effect, a tax on jobs and, I believe, should be seen as a last resort not an easy fix.

The figures are stark. Someone who’s better than me with the calculator has worked out that a 1p increase in Contributions could result in the loss of 57,000 small business jobs; the retail sector would be stung to the equivalent of 31,000 part time jobs and, according to one survey, while 12 per cent of employers would recruit fewer staff because of the planned rise, eight per cent would actually cut jobs.

The Government – whichever party is in power by then – has 12 months to backtrack. That’s plenty of time to do the maths.

We’ve added our name to this petition http://www.no-nics-rise.co.uk/ You might like to.

Peterborough 'upwardly mobile'

Much has been said about Peterborough in the press over the past few years – not much of it has been positive.

So it was refreshing to see a large picture of the beautiful Cathedral splashed across the Sunday Times over the headline ‘Upwardly mobile’ and alongside a map showing the city as one of the ’12 areas on the way up’.

The piece talked about the ‘substantial regeneration’ of the city ‘with millions of pounds of public money committed to attract blue-chip employers who will provide well-paid jobs and make the city one of the most sustainable in the country’.

Add to that the number of companies with Peterborough offices which featured in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies 2010 and our region starts to look a lot more attractive.

We were very proud to see one of our clients – Coloplast - featured in there as well as others from round the region.

Peterborough is on the up it seems. That’s good, not only for those coming into the city but for those of us who have been here for the long haul – both personally and professionally.

And of course it’s a great sign for us as a recruitment agency. People moving to the city will create a bigger pool of talent for us to draw from and companies relocating here will generate a wider variety of positions for those candidates.

MP says well done to us

We have been basking in the glory of some lovely comments following the announcement that we had received the gold industry standard from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

Our MP Stewart Jackson has added his congratulations in a personal letter sent on House of Commons stationery,

Mr Jackson said: “The honour pays tribute to your continued success, professionalism and dedication to recruitment. It is excellent to see such success for a Peterborough business.”

He finished off by saying: “I commend you on the admirable work of Anne Corder Recruitment and I look forward to future achievements. Once again many congratulations.”

We’re one of only around 50 agencies in the entire country to hold the accreditation and it’s one we work hard to achieve – it gives all our clients and suppliers the confidence we are providing the very best service. Having it recognised by others is rather satisfying too!