Business News Round Up (30/11/2021)
Accenture to create 3,000 new highly skilled tech jobs in UK
A leading technology professional services firm is ramping up hiring in the UK off the back of Britain’s strong economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. Accenture is creating 3,000 new highly skilled technology jobs in the UK over the next three years, the firm announced today. 1,500 of the roles will be based in London, highlighting the capital’s continuing appeal as a global hub for firms at the cutting edge of the technology sector. Simon Eaves, market unit lead at Accenture, said: “The UK economy is rebounding swiftly following the pandemic and we are seeing strong demand from clients seeking to capitalise on this growth opportunity.” The move will expand on Accenture’s 11,000 existing UK workforce. Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “This expansion by Accenture is a great example of the kind of digitally focused, high-skilled jobs that will help level up economic growth across the whole of the UK and help us build back better.” The other 1,500 jobs will be distributed across cities in the north of England and Scotland in cities such as Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds, Accenture said.
North West business confidence sips for second month
Business confidence in the North West fell eight points during November to 34%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in the region reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 12 points at 35%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down two points to 34%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 34%. The Business Barometer, which questions 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. A net balance of 32% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, down 15 points on last month, but remaining above the UK average. Overall, UK business confidence was buoyant in November at 40%, down just three points on October’s reading of 43%. Both firms’ confidence in their own trading prospects and optimism in the economy remained comfortably in positive territory, each dipping just three points month-on-month to 39% and 41% respectively.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/north-west/north-west-business-confidence-dips-for-second-month
Scotland in top position to benefit from shift towards net-zero economy
Scotland is seeing the highest demand for “green jobs” than any other part of the UK according to new findings from PwC. The research from PwC’s green jobs barometer also found the country is also best positioned to maximise the benefits of green investment. The barometer provides an analysis of the movements in green job creation, job loss and carbon intensity of employment. When data from all five pillars used to create the barometer were collated, Scotland comes out as the part of the UK best-placed to benefit economically from the shift towards a green workforce. PwC said transformation to a net-zero economy is beginning to feed through to the Scottish employment market, accounting for 1.65% of total advertised jobs, higher than in any other part of the UK. One reason for Scotland’s higher proportion is believed to due to its strong presence of energy and utilities roles, in particular renewable energy.
Business heavyweights back North West productivity plans
Business leaders in the North West are championing plans from productivity experts to accelerate the levelling up agenda in the region. Bruntwood, the North West Business Leadership Team and former Siemens UK chief executive Juergen Maier are among those calling for a re-think when it comes to addressing the North West’s productivity challenges. The call comes on the back of the newly released Productivity Insight Paper for the North West of England, created by The Productivity Institute and its North West Regional Productivity Forum, both based at Alliance Manchester Business School. The paper highlights the strengths of the region, including its large and very productive manufacturing sector – which sits head and shoulders above its UK regional counterparts – as well as its leading R&D assets, life sciences, energy, and digital industries. But it also outlines productivity gaps in the region, identifying the obstacles preventing the North West and its sub regions from gaining ground on UK average productivity levels.
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/business-heavyweights-back-north-west-productivity-plans/