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Friday March 20 - Thursday April 2 2009
If you can, please make a donation to the hospice NEW THIS ISSUE! 28-page Lifestyle supplement
David Pugh and you
Red nose day in pictures Page 5
Page 12
The Isle of Wight Grand National Page 14
Job figures shock for IW
By Paul Rainford
CONTROVERSIAL new figures have labelled the Island as the UK’s number one blackspot for people in search of a job.
A study, compiled by the TUC and based on figures from January of this year, looked at the number of dole claimants chasing each job centre vacancy in every local authority in the UK. On the Island it found that there were 3,155 claimants chasing after just 52 jobs – a ratio of 60 jobseekers to each vacancy registered at the Island’s job centres. The next-worst jobseeker ratio nationally was found at Eilean Siar in the Western Isles, which had 44 claimants for each job, though the average equivalent figure nationally was ten, and eight across the South East. This paints a far bleaker picture of the jobs situation than the official unemployment rate for the same period, which puts the Island’s jobless rate at 5.6 per cent, placing it towards the lower
end of the unemployment scale – though still in a worse position than most of the South East. Richard Exell, senior policy officer in the TUC’s economics and social affairs department, drew the statistics together. He said: “The chances of being unemployed on the Island seem to be lower than many parts of the country, but if you are unemployed there are fewer jobs to go for. The two mainstays of the economy of the Island are manufacturing and tourism, and that is obviously a factor.” Mr Exell said that it is generally accepted that only about a third of actual vacancies are registered at job centres; the rest are advertised in local media or filled by word of mouth. David Pugh, IW Council leader, said that the figures did not give a realistic representation of the jobs situation on the Island: “While we need to do all we can to address the current economic realities, these figures may be skewed by certain factors. “Firstly they seem to be re-
corded when our crucial seasonal industries including tourism and agriculture are gearing up for the year ahead. Unemployment is traditionally at its worst in the winter months so we hope job opportunities will increase in the coming weeks. “Separation from the mainland also appears a factor given that the Western Isles in Scotland also fare badly in the research. This could be because jobseekers on islands are more focused on local opportunities than those in adjoining areas or counties. Movement between counties not separated by water is physically easier and does not present a possible psychological barrier to employment opportunities.” The Island MP, Andrew Turner, was similarly sceptical. “Statistics can show anything – but people are more worried about facts than the magic use of statistics,” he said. Mr Turner added: “I believe we’re very fortunate in having relatively small organisations Continued on page 3
Minghella film festival to be annual event? GOIA Minghella, the sister of the late film director Anthony Minghella (above), has indicated that an Island film event could become an annual fixture.
Speaking at the Minghella Movie Marathon, which celebrated the director’s life and work with showings of his films and talks from those who knew him, Goia said: “I’m sure this event is something we’ll be building on. There will be something happening next year definitely, though we’re not sure what shape it will take just yet.” Goia also spoke to The Gazette
Tory big hitter backs MP’s campaign ONE of the legendary ‘Big Beasts’ of the Tory party has lent his weight to the campaign by Island MP Andrew Turner for a full investigation into the crossSolent ferry services.
Ken Clarke, the Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, said: “The decision by the Office of Fair Trading to instigate a market survey is absolutely right. The Island ferries are quite literally a lifeline service – and the market must work, and be seen to work, for the benefit of its customers, not just the ferry operators.” He added: “My colleague Andrew Turner has done a great deal of work on this matter, and I am impressed by the number of people from the Island
who have supported him in getting this far. If the OFT finds evidence of any practices that warrant further study then they should recommend a full investigation to be carried out as soon as possible.” Mr Turner said: “When I spoke to Ken about the ferry services he saw straight away the potential for abuse of market position. “He has unrivalled experience of such matters and I hope that the support of someone with his background, knowledge and expertise will help persuade the OFT that this really must go forward to a full investigation if they find anything at all untoward during this market survey.” l The deadline for submissions to the OFT is March 27.
about her brother’s feelings for his birthplace. “I think he loved the Island,” said Goia. “He was delighted to come from the Island but he wanted to spread his wings. “The Island is a kind of greenhouse in that it nurtures people. He went to Sandown High School and was very happy there – they helped his interest in drama, art and music.” l For more coverage of the Minghella Movie Marathon, including interviews with Jude Law and Lord Puttnam, see our Lifestyle supplement.