1 - yes does look quite positive in that report. Trouble is, I know too many who have lost their old full-time jobs and are now doing part-time, or very poorly paid work. They appear as 'employed' - but it's not what they had.
2 - I've been aware of this, the council loans are a great idea...
1) Jobs up north - these used to be in manufacturing / farming and so on. Post Thatcher these have dwindled to very little, and they are now mainly in tourism or the public sector. The latter have been under pressure over the last 5 years, we have survived two cut-based restructures, and can...