In The Loop: 12/01/09

Companies to get £2,500 for each long-term jobless recruit
"The government is to give firms that recruit people unemployed for more than six months "golden hellos" of up to £2,500, in a move that provides £500m to keep employers hiring.

The unexpected initiative, which will be announced at the government's jobs summit this morning, is the latest effort to tackle rising unemployment, which is predicted to hit 3 million by the end of the year. Last week, the skills secretary, John Denham, announced measures to increase apprenticeships by 35,000 and a system of internships to ensure students unable to find employment still find training." [Guardian]

Plans to increase Britain's gas storage capacity left in tatters by credit crunch
"Plans to build vital facilities to help Britain secure its energy supplies at a time of increasing fears about reliance on Russian gas are in doubt as a result of the credit crunch, energy groups warn.

Stag Energy says the credit crunch is making it harder to raise the £600m for the Gateway project to build a storage facility beneath the Irish Sea. It received planning permission for the project in November." [Guardian]

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