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School meals help fussy eaters try new foods

, 02 Sep 2010 10:52:08 GMT

Parents struggling with fussy eaters may have found an unlikely ally in school food - a recent survey revealed four out of five youngsters eating school meals have tried food in the school canteen that they would never try at home.
In a poll of 1,000 parents for the School Food Trust, more than 80% said their offspring had experimented with new foods at school and half said they'd been asked to make dishes at home that their childrten had eaten at school.
The survey found carrots, sweet corn and peas are the most popular vegetables for children - but aubergine, chickpeas and spinach are among the least favourite.
Rob Rees, chairman of the School Food Trust, said: ''Every parent knows it's a nightmare watching their child push food around the plate. School meals can be a great way to help parents encourage their children to try new foods and to increase the variety of foods in their diet.
''I think we all remember wanting to eat like our friends at school - it has a huge influence on what children are prepared to try, so school meals are a good option for fussy eaters.
''What's more, we are starting to see a shift in children's habits since the introduction of new standards for school food. Our research in primary schools has shown that children eating school meals do have healthier options on their plates than they did five years ago.''
Lunches served in all maintained schools in England must now meet specific standards, so the average meal provides the right mix of energy and nutrients.
Research has shown packed lunches generally contain fewer healthy items than school lunches. Children eating packed lunches can take in higher levels of fat, sugar and salt than pupils eating school meals.

Girls believe they're better than boys by the age of four

, 01 Sep 2010 09:27:59 GMT

Girls believe they are cleverer, better-behaved and try harder than boys at school from a very young age, claims new research.
A study by researchers at Kent University reveals that these perceptions are present from at least the time that girls are in their reception year and persist throughout primary school.
By the age of eight, boys appear to agree with their classmates in believing that girls are more likely to have what might be deemed the right qualities to do well at school.
Children of both sexes also think that, in general, adults believe girls do better at school than boys.
The research - based on detailed questioning of 238 children in two Kent primary schools - is to be presented at the British Educational Research Association conference tomorrow.
It flags up the difficulties teachers face in trying to improve the performance of boys, who lag behind girls on average in most subjects throughout school.
Previous research has suggested that children's beliefs about what is expected of them can create a 'self-fulfilling prophecy', because girls are perceived to be more likely to do well, so, in turn they do perform better and therefore perpetuate the expectations of girls' performances in the future.
Bonny Hartley, from Kent University, said: ''By seven or eight years old, children of both genders believe that boys are less focused, able and successful than girls - and think that adults endorse this stereotype.
''There are signs that these expectations have the potential to become self-fulfilling in influencing children's actual conduct and achievement.''
The study involved presenting children, between the ages of four and 10, with a series of statements or scenarios such as 'this child is really clever', 'this child always finishes their work' and 'the teacher is taking the register in class and this child sits very quietly, waiting for their name to be called out'.
The children were then asked to point to a picture, in silhouette, of a boy or girl to say whether they thought the questioner was talking about a boy or girl.
On average, girls of reception age right through to year 5 said girls were cleverer, performed better, had better self control and focus and were better behaved and respectful. Boys in reception, year 1 and year 2 gave answers which were equally split between favouring boys and girls, but by year 3 their beliefs were in line with those of the girls.
Children were assigned to two groups, with one told that boys do not perform as well as girls, and the other not told this. They were then tested in maths, reading and writing. Boys in the first group performed significantly worse than those in the second, while girls' overall performance was similar in both groups.
Ms Hartley said the research supported claims that boys' relatively poor performance nationally could be explained in part by lower expectations.
She called for changes for what goes on in schools to help break the cycle of lower expectations of boys.
''Adults should think carefully before using phrases such as 'silly boys', 'school boy pranks' and 'why can't you sit nicely like the girls?','' she said. ''Schools should also address the policy of seating pupils in ability groups, which would tend to see more girls sitting on 'higher achieving' tables.''

Short-term economic forecast up - Chambers of Commerce

, 31 Aug 2010 09:24:56 GMT

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has raised its expectations for UK GDP growth to increase by 1.7% this year in its latest economic forecast.
The business group has also predicted a rise of 2.2% for next year.
But despite the short-term positive outlook, the BCC has warned that the pace of growth will slow sharply over the medium-term as the Coalition Government's tough deficit-reduction measures kick in.
It also predicts unemployment will increase over the next 18 months and will peak at 2.65m (8.3% of the workforce) in the first half of 2012.
The BCC has backed the Government's commitment to slash Britain's hugh budget deficit by focusing on curbing public spending, but warns the cuts must be coupled with a successful growth strategy to ensure the economy's productive potential is supported.
David Frost, director general of the BCC, said: ''British business appreciates that sacrifices will have to be made in the next three years, as the tough but necessary austerity measures begin to bite.
''Business accepts that reducing the deficit, with a clear focus on spending cuts, is vital in order to restore confidence, international credibility and stability. However, deficit reduction on its own will not deliver a sustainable recovery.
''There must be a relentless focus on ensuring that business is able to deliver growth and create employment. We need policies that rebalance the economy towards wealth-creating businesses, and enable the private sector to invest, export and create new jobs. Failure to get this right poses the biggest risk to recovery.''
The BCC has also predicted 'large declines' in public sector net borrowing (PSNB) to £144bn (9.7% of GDP) in 2010-11, £110bn in 2011-12, and £83bn (5.1% of GDP) in 2012-13.
The organisation says it expects interest rates of 0.5% to be held until the second quarter of 2011, but by the end of 2011 it expects the bank rate to hit 1.75%.
BCC chief economist David Kern said: ''UK GDP was very strong in the second quarter of 2010 and the pace of growth will remain satisfactory in the second half of this year. Activity will be supported in the short-term by the cumulative impact of the huge injections of stimulus during the recession, the earlier sharp falls in sterling, and the rebuilding of stocks.
''However, we expect a sharp slowdown in the pace of growth to start in the first quarter of 2011, as the VAT increases to 20% and tough spending cuts are implemented. The need to significantly cut the deficit, strengthen the banking sector, and reduce personal debt will inevitably limit growth until the middle of the decade. Over the next four to five years, GDP growth is likely to average just under 2% per annum, considerably less than the 3% average growth recorded in the period between 1993 and 2007.
''If successful, the forceful deficit-cutting strategy announced in the Emergency Budget would put the UK on a path of sustainable and affordable recovery, and could help create a leaner and fitter economy. But the fiscal retrenchment and the decision to cut the deficit at an accelerated pace will inevitably increase dangers of a double-dip recession. The new policy faces obstacles and will only succeed if it is accompanied by a coherent growth strategy.
''Recent improvements in the UK labour market mask worrying developments, which pose serious threats to Britain's productive potential. Unless the labour market remains flexible during the recovery and private sector employers are encouraged to expand, there is a risk that falling productivity would damage Britain's medium-term growth prospects. Inactivity must decline, full-time employment needs to grow and private sector employment must increase.''

Good looking candidates bag jobs

, 27 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

New research claims that attractive people have a better chance of securing a job.

This is according to HireScores.com a recruitment agency which quizzed over 1,000 bosses to reveal that 67% admitted to being more inclined to give an attractive person a job.

When asked the question: "Would you hire a candidate who had equal academic strengths as another, but was better looking?" two thirds of bosses said yes, with a further 9% admitting that they had hired some based purely on the way that they looked.

When asked the question: "Do you think that those who are more attractive make better employees?" a third, 34%, said yes with just over half of these admitting that they thought that the most attractive employees were likely to be the most confident in the workplace.

Yet despite the findings the majority (81%) say that the ability to do the job is still the most important factor that affects a candidate’s employability with qualifications following just behind (73%). Social skills is in third place (71%), whilst hygiene polled last (61%).

Lisette Howlett, managing director of HireScores.com said: "It's very important to look at all the factors when you're looking to employ someone, regardless of what job it is for. The hiring decision needs to take everything into account, motivation, attitude, short and longer term business needs and whether the candidate has the best ability to do the job."

She continued: "Whilst I do worry that many employers would perhaps subconsciously employ someone who is easier on the eyes, it doesn't always make practical business sense.”

Long term sick could be pinpointed three years before seeking benefits

, 27 Aug 2010 07:00:00 GMT

People on long term incapacity benefit because of mental health problems could be identified by the GPs three years before they stop working, researchers from Glasgow University have found.
The study found the number of people claiming incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance in Britain has increased by more than 300% in the last 30 years - this costs the UK economy around £100 billion annually.
Researchers investigated date from the 1995,1998 and 2003 Scottish Health Surveys and the 1991 to 2007 British Household Panel Survey to examine differences in incapacity benefit claims across the country.
The research, led by Prof Jill Morrison from the School of Medicine, Glasgow Univerity, found there is no significant variation across GP practices in the UK in the rate of patients claiming long term sick benefit - the authors of the study said the varying rates of benefit claims were due to population differences and not to GPs issuing sickness certificates inappropriately.
The results show there was a significant increase in the frequency of GP consultations for patients with mental health problems in the three years before they went on to claim incapacity benefit.
Prof Morrison claims the current policy of getting people who are on long term benefit back to work may not be very effective - instead, it would be better to identify patients who are at risk of ending up on long term benefit and focus on keeping them in work.
She also said a large proportion of people on long term sick leave were unlikely to return to employment.
''There will always be a proportion of people who are at such a low ebb that unless there is a drastic improvement it will be very difficult for them to be able to work,'' she said.
''If they sto working, there's a vicious circle where they have financial problems and that brings on new worries and problems.
''The Government is looking at targeting people on the margins who, with extra support or encouragement, may be able to return to work. But I don't think you can ever eradicate the problem.''
The researchers say GPs can target people who could become dependent on benefit up to three yers before this occurs by identifying patients were have frequent consultations for emotional distress.
However, they say ''further work should concentrate on determining what outcomes are achieved by general practitioners who provide additional emotional or occupational support for patients identified as at risk of becoming dependent on long term benefits.''

Commuting continues despite advances in flexible working

, 26 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The average commute from bed to office is 25 minutes with long-distance commuting prevailing as standard in spite of the progress made to flexible working practices.

Workplace solutions providers, Regus, conducted the survey which shows that 20% of commuters travel over 90 minutes every day, with one in ten commuting for more than an hour to and from their place of work.

Cars are by far the most popular form of commuter transport (64%) with 66% of UK workers choosing this mode of transport and just 19% braving buses or trains.

Only 9% of workers are close enough to their place of work to be able to cycle or walk.

In the USA car use is much more wide-spread (85%) shortly followed by South Africa (83%). High density and excellent transport infrastructure make Japan the country least reliant on driving to get to work (23%). Cycling in to work was as unpopular as car pooling (2%) on a global level with only the Netherlands significantly bucking this trend (8%).

Mark Dixon, CEO, Regus commented: “As traffic congestion in cities increases it is disappointing to see that too many workers are still jamming the roads in the rush hour when they could be spending their time more enjoyably or more productively elsewhere.

“To tackle the damaging effects of commuting on staff health and morale, savvy businesses are introducing more flexibility in their working practices and are seeking workplace solutions that allow their staff to work closer to home. Remote working and flexi-time can provide a much needed break in the weekly commuting routine and also translate into office space and maintenance savings.”

The cost of travel adds further expenditure for weary commuters. While on average 7% of commuters globally spend 10% or more of their salary on commuting, this peaked in car-reliant Mexico where 13% of respondents spend more than 10% of their salary to fund their commute.

Public invited to spy on public sector attempts to tackle inequality

, 26 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Members of the public will be able to see exactly what public sector organisations are doing to tackle inequality under new plans to put taxpayers in control of holding public bodies to account.

The plans were announced by Equalities Minister, Lynne Featherstone who said the move marked an end to ‘box ticking bureaucracy’: “Equality is central to delivering the fair and more efficient public services that support a fairer society. However, in the past equality has too often become a byword for box-ticking and bureaucracy, with public bodies focusing on red tape rather than results.”

Featherstone added that the new ‘Equality Duty’ would empower the public by giving them the information they needed to hold organisations to account.

“Citizens will be able to see for themselves how a public body is performing on equality, because what really matters is delivering improved, more equal services, not following complicated and expensive procedures.

“To really make this work we need to know what you think, so please visit the Government Equalities Office website and have your say on the proposals,” said Featherstone.

The public sector Equality Duty will replace three separate duties that require government departments, local authorities and other public bodies to take into account gender, race and disability equality both as employers and when making policy decisions and delivering services. The duty simplifies this requirement and also extends it to fully cover, religion and belief, sexual orientation and gender reassignment.

The consultation is the latest stage in the Government’s equalities programme, which so far has included enacting new rules to help tackle the gender pay gap and provide greater protection for the rights of disabled people, as well as work to improve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Slow computers provoke storm of workforce anger

, 25 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

'Slow computers' is the most common employee complaint to IT helpdesks, according to a survey of 100 IT directors.
'Lost passwords' ranked second and 'system crashes' third in the study commissioned by Diskeeper Corporation and B2B research house Vanson Bourne.
But organisations continue to ignore one of the most common causes of slow computers and system crashes - fragmented hard drives.
Over two thirds (69%) of IT directors surveyed do not consider defragmentation a priority, and over half (56%) do not have processes in place to ensure regular defragmentation.
Sue Cantwell, managing director EMEA, Diskeeper Corporation, said: ''Fragmentation happens to a hard disk as soon as you save, change, or delete files. The changes that you save to a file are often stored at a location on the hard disk that's different from the original file. Further changes are saved to even more locations. Both the file and the hard disk itself become fragmented, and your computer slows down as it has to search in many different places just to open up the file.''
The survey saw poor performance cited as the reason behind 33% of PC refreshes, a further indication of the level of waste in many IT departments.
Addressing fragmentation increases the lifespan of equipment significantly, and Cantwell says many of their firm's clients are able to delay hardware upgrades for up to five years.
''Fragmentation is something that can be easily and inexpensively prevented by disk optimisation software,'' she said. ''Organisations in the UK can easily save their employees precious time and helpdesk resources by running this type of software witih little to no overhead. The cost to a large enterprise could easily run into the hundreds of thousands. The benefits of taking this simple step include lower backup times, quicker anti-virus scans, faster boot up times and greener drives.''

Single parents complain that flexible jobs are too hard to find

, 25 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The Government has called for a further 100,000 single parents to get back to work next year when their youngest child reaches five years of age. Yet according to a survey of single parents, ‘family-friendly’ jobs are in short supply.

In September, 120,000 single parents whose youngest child is aged seven will be required to seek work.

Parents must look for jobs of 16 hours or more, and parents with children aged under 12 can limit their job-search to school-hours jobs. But the lack of flexible jobs out there could jeopardise plans to have more single parents in work.

Yet a national survey by Gingerbread of its single parent members and users of NetMums website found a high number of single parents who had seen no or few jobs they could apply for advertised at part time hours (62%); within school hours (97%); as a job share (95%); or flexible in some other way (97%).

Asked what they would need to balance home with working life. Parents said they were looking for part-time or flexible hours so they could drop their children off at school and pick them up and the flexibility to attend school functions together with some paid time off when their child was sick.

Launching the Gingerbread Briefing on flexible working, Chief Executive of the charity Fiona Weir called for the Government to move faster on plans for flexible working:

“The business case for flexible working is proven with 92% of employers agreeing that people work best when they can balance work and other aspects of their lives. Recent policy changes have focused on pressuring single parents to seek work or risk benefit cuts. But that isn’t what is needed. Nationally nearly 60% of single parents are already in work and most of those on benefits say they want a job. A workplace that works better for single parents is the missing part of the jigsaw. Without action from Government and employers many single parents will remain trapped in poverty.”

The Coalition Government has committed to introduce flexible working for all and launched a taskforce on children and families. Gingerbread is calling on the Coalition to:

Implement its plans to enable all employees to apply for flexible working before it requires single parents to work once their youngest is aged five
Ensure all jobs in the public sector are offered on a part- time or flexible basis unless there is a clear business case not to.
Introduce a right to paid parental leave to help parents deal with time off when children are ill.

And it wants employers to:

Offer employees a set number of paid days per year for caring for dependents.
Offer training on managing flexible working to all managers.
Offer jobs of 16 hours per week so that parents can claim working tax credit.

Workingmums.co.uk recent survey of nearly 2,000 mothers, released this week, found that mums cited flexible hours for full time jobs, regular work at home and the offer of part-time jobs as the three factors that made a company family friendly - flexi-hours ranked as the most important aspect (76%), even surpassing part-time hours which was also rated important for two thirds of the respondents.

But more than two thirds of workers (69%) agree that their job is flexible - more than three quarters (77%) found their employer was supportive when they returned to work.

Just over half (53%) of those who requested flexible or part-time working upon their return to work felt they got what they had requested or had reached a good compromise.