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DECEMBER 2013 PRO INSTALLER
PRO BUSINESS
www.proinstaller.co.uk
Medium-Sized Businesses
Are Unsung Heroes
Of The Recovery
New CBI research shows that medium-sized
businesses (MSBs) are the unsung heroes of the
economy, having done much of the heavy lifting
during the recovery, significantly contributing
to jobs and growth across the UK.
MSBs aren’t household
names but employ
between 50-499 people
and have a turnover of
£10-100 million.
Despite only accounting
for 1.8% of the UK private
sector, MSBs have been
responsible for creating
a huge number of jobs
between March 2010 and
March 2013. They have created 185,000 jobs, a 4.1% increase, compared with 1.9%
by large companies and
2.8% by small firms. They
now employ 4.7 million
people across the UK, 16%
of our total workforce.
‘Estimated to
be over £300
billion GVA’
In the same period their
total turnover increased by
more than double that of
other firms: 7%, compared
with 3.2% for large companies and 2.9% overall.
They generate 23% of total
private sector revenue and
their contribution to the
UK economy is estimated
to be over £300 billion GVA
(gross value added).
Looking ahead, the majority (82%) of MSBs expect
the UK economy to improve
over the next 12 months
and 88% expect their own
business situation to improve.
John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said: “MSBs
contribute more than £300
billion to the economy. With
better access to a range of
growth finance options,
improved training and research support, and help to
break into new exports markets - these firms could be
worth an extra £20 billion
to our economy by 2020.”
Figures Confirm Record
Numbers Of Apprenticeships
More people than ever before are taking part in
an apprenticeship, according to published figures.
Nearly 870,000 people were on an apprenticeship
in 2012/13 with the gold standard of higher and
advanced levels attracting record levels of apprentices.
The data indicates that there were
over 1.5 million apprenticeship
starts since 2010, half a million of
these were in 2012/13.
Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew
Hancock said: “These figures show that a
record 868,700 people were in apprenticeships last year, which is up 77% on 2009/10.
I am also pleased to see that there were
13,000 people in higher apprenticeships last
year, which is double the previous year’s
figure.
“This is good news for the economy, and
good news for those getting the skills they
‘Good news for the
economy, and good news
for those getting the skills
they need to prosper’
need to prosper. I want the new norm for
people leaving school or college to either
go to university or choose an apprenticeship. By focusing on the quality and rigour
that people and employers want from
apprenticeships, this will make the vision a
reality.”
‘Increased by 19%’
Higher apprenticeships introduced by this
government are now at the highest level
they have ever been, while the participation
in advanced level apprenticeships has increased by 19% this year to nearly 380,000.
The reformed apprenticeships will be
employer-led and designed so they respond
to the needs of industry, meaning each
apprentice has the skills required by the
sector.
PUBLIC WANTS WARMER
HOMES OVER ROAD
OR RAIL SPEND
Making homes more energy efficient is a greater infrastructure priority for the UK public than building HS2 or
new roads, airports and power stations. In a poll out today, 85 per cent of adults rank free energy efficiency
measures, which could save an average family £500 every year, in their top three infrastruc ture priorities.
In fact, 57 per cent of
people believe it should
be the UK’s number
one priority, ahead of
building new roads (15
per cent), new power
stations (15 per cent),
HS2 (3 per cent) or new
airports (2 per cent). It
is an even greater priority for younger people,
with energy efficiency
for homes coming first
for around 70 per cent
of 16 to 24 year olds.
In addition, 63 per cent
of people say that, of the
infrastructure projects, it
would have the biggest
benefit for them personally,
with the number rising to
over 70 per cent for those
with children and around
three quarters of those aged
35 to 44.
The poll was conducted by
TNS for the Energy Bill Revolution, the world’s biggest
fuel poverty alliance representing over 150 British
businesses, charities, energy
companies and unions.
They revealed that Government funding for energy
efficiency measures has already been dramatically cut,
with investment to help the
fuel poor slashed in half before the last long, bitter winter and total spending down
by a fifth over the course of
this Parliament. The figures
were highlighted as official statistics were released
showing that 31,000 people
died because of the freezing
weather last winter, a 29 per
cent increase on the previous year.
‘Positive impact’
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation
of Master Builders, said:
“Energy-efficiency improvements, unlike major road or
rail projects, are not at the
mercy of our lengthy plan-
ning process before they
can get started. The positive
impact on jobs and growth
is immediate because energy efficient improvements
to our homes can be done
right away. If the Chancellor
prioritises this type of capital investment, he will bring
about significant economic
gains, providing additional
work for the UK’s small
local builders, who are the
backbone of the construction industry.”