A window cleaner scales a high-rise builidng in Canary Wharf. Photo:urban legend

Employers of the daredevil window-cleaners charged with maintaining Britain’s tallest building are backing a government campaign to emphasise safety in the workplace.

Canary Wharf Management Ltd are supporting the Health and Safety Executive’s ‘Shattered Lives’ initiative, which aims to highlight the risk of injuries at work.

Safety is a matter of particular importance to the company, who contract cleaners to wash the glass façades of the Docklands’ numerous skyscrapers.

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Hackney's unemployed can now climb without the cost. Photo: Romary

Canoeing, rock climbing and sailing are just some of the activities unemployed Hackney residents can now enjoy for free.

Those recovering from mild mental health conditions are also eligible for Adventures in Learning, a council initiative that runs until the end of March.

It aims to boost confidence, self-esteem, learning and future prospects, and will also raise awareness of opportunities for further learning and employment.

Cllr Nargis Khan, Hackney’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, said it provides “a great chance to learn new skills, get access to experienced mentors, socialise and find out about local job, training or educational opportunities.”

The activities last a minimum of six weeks and culminate in a proficiency certificate awarded by the national governing body of the particular sport. Sessions run throughout the week, and some offer a free crèche facility to open them up to parents with young children.

For more information or to book a place visit http://www.hackney.gov.uk/adventures-in-learning.htm

Hackney Museum is currently showing "100 Years and Counting; Helping People into work since 1910". Photo: Theocharia

On 1 February 1910 Sir Winston Churchill visited three newly opened ’Labour Exchanges’ – forerunner to the modern day Jobcentre – in Hackney, Stepney and Camberwell.

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London Olympics 2012. Copyright Michael Pead. www.michaelpead.co.uk

The Olympic Delivery Authority have published the latest employment and skills figures which show that 6,277 people are currently working on the Olympic Park construction site and 2,887 people are working on the Olympic Village.

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Lewisham on a road to recovery. Photo: Matt@Flickr

The United Kingdom is officially out of recession, according to new figures released on Tuesday. But what does this actually mean for the people of East and South London?

Statistics show that the British economy grew by 0.1% in the last three months of 2009. This comes after the longest period of economic contraction, during which many businesses struggled and unemployment rose.

Stephen Nelson, principal director of the South East London Chamber of Commerce, said: “The growth rate has improved as the confidence of the small and medium enterprises over the last 4,5 months has increased.”

According to economic experts, adequate steps still need to be taken by the public and private sector to ensure that consumer confidence increases and maintains an upward trajectory. The employment figures showed a positive trend last week as there was an increase in the number of people employed. This includes a rise in employment figures along the East London Lines.

But there is still a worry that joblessness could increase in the future if public spending is cut. In boroughs like Lewisham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets, there is a ‘’huge need for business support delivered locally,” said Mr. Nelson.

So, East London Lines took to the streets of New Cross to ask what locals thought of this news, and discovered mixed opinions. Some felt cheered, while others expressed scepticism about its positive effects for their everyday lives:

Alicia, 24, a musician, was unmoved by the news: “It doesn’t change a thing for me. I felt that it was an extremely overly publicized event, the recession. It was a big moral panic and I wasn’t really interested in it. However, I think outside of London people have suffered – small businesses especially. So maybe they will feel better, coming back out of the recession – but for somebody like myself it’s not really going to change anything.”

“We didn’t have as much business last year as we have had the previous years, but it hasn’t affected us massively,’’ said Paula, 26, a photographer. “We’re from Argentina, so it’s not a recession for us compared to the kind of problems we’ve been through in our country – it’s not a proper recession! I expect to get more business now we’re out of the recession, but it’s probably going to take time to recover.”

Richard, a Transport for London worker, was cheered by the news. “The recession is over? Really?”, he asked, with a pleased laugh. “I have been affected by it, so that’s good. I don’t think it seems like it’s over yet, as they’ve only announced that today, but I’m expecting things to get better within the next couple of months, hopefully. But that’s beautiful news. It means we’ll have more opportunities for young people.”

“I’m deeply sceptical, ‘’ said Rheem, 24, Students Union sabbatical officer at Goldsmiths, University of London. “I think the government bailing out the banks makes it look like everything’s rosy, when actually there’s an insidious, evil banking problem that is sapping the life out of ordinary people, making it harder and harder to live sustainably, to buy homes, to be a student. Prices of everyday things are going up, like bus fares – thanks Boris! I don’t think that statements like ‘We’re out of recession’ are very helpful.”

Sebastian, 24, a stock controller, took a more pragmatic stance: “It’s debatable whether 0.1% really means we are out of a recession, to be quite honest, because that’s a very minimal margin. Obviously it gives people the illusion of being out the recession, so maybe they are more free with their disposable income. That is half the battle though, so maybe it changes our economy in the upcoming months. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Additional reporting by Fatimah Inayet and Hanna Woodside

Tower Hamlets respects gay employees Photo: DeSarahaIsis

Tower Hamlets has been recognised as the seventh best place to work in 2010 for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

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Young, depressed & unemployed. Photo: Rob Harding

Unemployed young people suffering the effects of the recession could face a lifetime of poorer health and lower happiness, a report warned this week. (more…)

Protestors demanded an end to youth unemployment. Photo: Rhiannon Bury

Hundreds of protesters marched through central London on Saturday to demonstrate against youth unemployment and unfair working conditions. (more…)

Hackney and Tower Hamlets are among the UK's worst unemployment rates Photos: Rhiannon Bury

Hackney and Tower Hamlets continue to suffer from some of the worst unemployment rates in the UK, according to statistics released this week.

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