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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th January 2015
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Soft skills worth £88bn to UK economy
vet nurses
Healthcare industries are forecast to be one of the most at risk of losing out due to lack of support for soft skills.
Half a million workers 'will be held back by lack of soft skills'

Soft skills, including communication, interpersonal skills and teamwork, are worth £88 billion to the UK economy, new research suggests. It is estimated that over 500,000 workers will be held back by the lack of these skills by 2020.

A new report, released by Development Economics, shows the worth of these skills is set to rise to £109 million within five years.

Furthermore, a recent YouGov study indicates that while 97 per cent of employers believe soft skills are important to business success, three-quarters feel there is a lack of these skills in the UK workforce.

Healthcare industries are said to be one of the sectors most at risk of being held back due to a lack of support for soft skills from employers, government and educators. However, economists predict that this issue will affect all sectors.

Business man and entrepreneur James Caan CBE, commented: "Soft skills matter - to individuals, to businesses, and to the wider UK economy."

A new campaign backed by James Caan and a number of leading organisations is calling for a re-evaluation of these skills.

A three-month consultation has launched to gather information on current practices and attitudes. The data will be published later in 2015, alongside a set of recommendations for improving, supporting and promoting soft skills in the workplace.

Meanwhile, businesses, policy experts, campaign groups, trade associations and academics are invited to develop and share new ways of recognising and improving these skills.

To find out more about the consultation, visit: www.backingsoftskills.co.uk

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.