According to the latest survey by Lloyds TSB confidence in job prospects and safety of employment are way down compared with just a year ago.
Around 35 percent of those asked by Lloyds TSB felt that their job was less secure now than it was last year. One in ten thought their prospects were actually better now than in 2007, though this figure is 40 percent down on last year, reflecting the changing attitudes of the nation.
Added to this downbeat view was the fact that there is also an expectation of increased inflation, with costs already soaring. The people of Britain would really like to say things are looking better but they are thwarted at every turn by the look of this Lloyds TSB information.
Northern Rock has revealed plans to shed around 1,300 jobs as it reorganises operations and looks to the future.
This figure is lower than originally expected, which is good news for some members of staff who wish to stay. Northern Rock are anticipating around 500 people taking voluntary redundancy, leaving just 800 to be selected by management. The original estimate was for around 2,000 job losses, but discussions with staff representatives and management has lowered that number.
After being nationalised earlier this year Northern Rock has a duty to pay back the money loaned to it and in order to do this it has had to revise the way it operates. Cutting costs but remaining active in the key markets is how this will be achieved, hence the job losses now being applied.
The 8.5 percent interest rate offer on the Alliance and Leicester Premier 50 and Premier Direct current accounts is being extended for a further 3 months such has been its popularity.
The high interest rate is guaranteed for the first year of having the account, which also provides a 0 percent overdraft option, again for twelve months. An Alliance and Leicester spokesperson suggested that people could earn a significant amount of extra interest by swapping to these current accounts as well as saving on overdraft charges.
As a nation we tend to stick with the same accounts, with 80 percent of current account holders having been with the same one for five years or more so perhaps this Alliance and Leicester offer can change that, for the benefit of the customer.