Good news for Rugby:

http://www.therugbyobserver.co.uk/2014/11/05/news-Expansion-of-Lutterworth-logistics-park-could-create-thousands-of-jobs-120193.html


Some bad, and some potentially bed news, for Coventry:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-29918499

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-mp-voices-concerns-over-8055937

That one about Walkers has tickled me. For the past few months I've been berating them because of their lousy packaging. It's cost them a small fortune in vouchers to me. I can't actually remember the last time I paid full price for Walkers crisps. The silly thing is, they're no nearer to solving their problems and they're actively obstructing me talking to their quality director. Even sillier, I think I know what's causing their issue!

140 jobs to go at Rolls Royce in antsy: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-30439219

Ansty has been on borrowed time for years. I suspect that this latest blow will be its final call.

There are some very skilled people and a lot of expert knowledge within the Rolls Royce workforce and I sincerely hope Rolls Royce won't regret taking a short term view. Once the skills and knowledge are gone, you can't easily replace them, as the motor industry found to its cost.

Employment's definitely heading in the right direction: http://www.warwickcourier.co.uk/news/regional/unemployment-falls-by-14-000-1-6477961

I think we need to be careful here. Those figures relate to people currently claiming job seekers allowance. That will exclude those currently on sanctions, on zero hours contracts, and only employed part-time. It will also exclude those that have transferred to self employed status, whether they are making a living wage or not.

When it comes to unemployment I tend to rely more on my own eyes rather than government massaged figures. I will bet the true figure for unemployment is far higher, but no government will dare to tell the truth.

Unemployment in C&W went up last month - hopefully just a blip: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-warwickshire-sees-rise-number-8676781

The real underlying trend isn't good. Remember that these figures are based on those claiming Job Seekers Allowance. Many have been 'sanctioned' or forced off claiming JSA over recent months (zero hour contracts, job fayre etc.) the fact that locally we're seeing an increase really isn't good news to my mind.

Less unemployment in C&W, but, as you say Rebbonk, the figures don't show the increases in employment.http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/unemployment-coventry-warwickshire-lowest-30-9410646

More neutral, than good or bad news: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/unemployment-figures-fall-coventry-warwickshire-9840486

I really don't believe it Lex. These figures are based on people claiming JSA.

People are deliberately sanctioned, forced into going self employed or pushed onto zero hour contracts to make things look better than they are.

Sad when you can't trust government statistics!

Yeah, these statistics are often touted as good, but there's a lot of bad news lurking in the background.

Unemployment falls again. What this report doesn't mention (but the BBC does) is that 320,000-odd of new jobs in the economy are taken up by prople from the EU.

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/unemployment-falls-again-coventry-warwickshire-10609835

It's all smoke and mirrors.

I know people who just can't get a job, despite wanting one.

Very low unemployment in Stratford: http://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/unemployment-rates-stratford-lowest-uk/

However, I have a niggling worry in the back of my head that the economy's in for a rough patch.

Looking at the last quarter's figures across a range of industries I'd hazard a guess that you're right Lex.

I think we might also see a house price collapse and everything that goes with it before much longer. - Gidiot has changed tax rules on buy to let, landlords are selling: a glut of properties on the market leads to a downward spiral. How steep that spiral will be I don't know, but all the signs are there.