Unemployment to rise quicker in UK than rest of Europe

UK unemployment is expected to rise by about 1.5 percentage points in 2009, half a percentage point more than the predicted EU average, according to the European Commission’s latest economic forecast.

The report states that employment growth is expected to turn negative as a result of falling output, dropping by 1.1 percentage points. Supply of labour is also projected to increase at a slower pace, reflecting reduced immigration.
 

It’s untenable to have a normal retirement age in public-sector schemes that is significantly different from the state retirement age

Brian Bailey, Director of pensions, West Midlands Pension Fund and member of High Pay Commission