
Wolverhampton Council agrees £75m contract to hire agency staff
City of Wolverhampton Council has agreed a new £75m contract to employ hundreds of temporary agency workers for the next three years.The authority agreed the deal with its existing temporary recruitment partner Adecco having dissolved its own agency YOO Recruit after 11 years.It agreed the contract after experiencing difficulties with recruiting and retaining staff, particularly in specialist roles in adults and children's social care, finance, procurement and IT.A council report said that using agency workers was important to allow it to quickly respond to issues and demand for resource.
"The use of agency workers can help the council respond to peaks and troughs in service requirements," it said.City of Wolverhampton Council has spent more than £82.5m on agency staff in the last five years, including £40m in the last two years, the report said.The agency contract could be extended for a further two years which would push the total cost to £100m.
Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
33 minutes ago
- The Guardian
UK government signals it will not force tech firms to disclose how they train AI
Campaigners have accused ministers of lying to parliament and the creative industries after the government signalled it would not force AI companies to disclose how they train their models. Ministers are holding firm in a standoff with the House of Lords, which has called for artists to be offered immediate copyright protection against artificial intelligence companies. Peers voted by 221 to 116 on Wednesday to insist on an amendment to the data bill that would force AI firms to be transparent about what copyrighted material they use to train their models. In an amendment tabled on Friday, the government dismissed the Lords' request and reiterated its promise to publish an economic impact assessment and technical reports on the future of AI and copyright regulation. Beeban Kidron, the cross-bench peer and film director who has campaigned on behalf of the industry, said during Wednesday's debate that she would 'accept anything that the Commons does' after this week. 'I will not stand in front of your Lordships again and press our case,' she said. But the News Media Association (NMA), which represents publishers including the Guardian, said peers could table further amendments to the data bill when it returns to the Lords next Wednesday. Industry figures said the government was acting in bad faith by not addressing the Lords' concerns and called for it to make further amendments of its own before MPs vote on it on Tuesday. Kidron said: 'The government has repeatedly taken all protections for UK copyrights holders out of the data bill. In doing so they have shafted the creative industries, and they have proved willing to decimate the UK's second biggest industrial sector. They have lied to parliament, and they are lying to the sector.' She said the government's action 'adds another sector to the growing number that have an unbridgeable gap of trust with the government'. Owen Meredith, chief executive of the NMA, said: 'the government's refusal to listen to the strong view of the Lords … risks undermining the legislative process. 'There is still time for the government to do the right thing, and take transparency powers in this bill. This would be a key step towards rebuilding trust with a £126bn industry.' Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion The government's approach to copyright has drawn the ire of major creative artists and organisations including Paul McCartney, Kate Bush and the National Theatre, with Elton John describing the situation as an 'existential issue' this week. Opponents of the plans have warned that even if the attempts to insert clauses into the data bill fail, the government could be challenged in the courts over the proposed changes. The consultation on copyright changes, which is due to produce its findings before the end of the year, contains four options: to let AI companies use copyrighted work without permission, alongside an option for artists to 'opt out' of the process; to leave the situation unchanged; to require AI companies to seek licences for using copyrighted work; and to allow AI firms to use copyrighted work with no opt-out for creative companies and individuals. Kyle has said the copyright-waiver-plus-opt-out scenario is no longer the government's preferred option, but Kidron's amendments have attempted to head off that option by effectively requiring tech companies to seek licensing deals for any content that they use to train their AI models.


Telegraph
38 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Piri piri monkfish with runner bean relish
Monkfish on the bone is perfect for a piri piri dish like this – its firm flesh stands up to the heat and a good roast. You can use other fish, just go a bit gentler with flakier varieties when it comes to cooking and serving. The relish is a great way to use up a glut of runner beans – you can also serve it as part of an antipasti spread or with grilled meats and veg. Requires marinating time. Overview Prep time 20 mins Cook time 35 mins Serves 4 Ingredients For the marinated fish 4-5 red chillies juice of 1 lemon 4 garlic cloves, peeled 2 bay leaves ½ tbsp white wine vinegar or cider vinegar 2 tsp paprika 60ml vegetable or rapeseed oil 1 x 1kg monkfish tail or 2 x 500g tails, trimmed For the relish handful of runner beans (about 6-7), trimmed and diced 1 red onion, finely chopped ½ tbsp white wine vinegar or cider vinegar 2 medium tomatoes (seeds removed), diced ½ red chilli, finely chopped 1 tbsp chopped coriander, plus extra to serve 2 tbsp olive or rapeseed oil


The Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Sun
Thomas Frank clear front-runner to become next Tottenham manager and could take charge as soon as next week
ANGE POSTECOGLOU was sacked by Tottenham just 16 days after ending their 17-year trophy drought - with Thomas Frank the front-runner to take over. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy made the call based on the dismal Premier League campaign where a record 22 defeats saw the club finish 17th. 4 4 Postecoglou was axed two years to the day since he was announced as Spurs chief back in 2023 - and just over a fortnight on from winning the Europa League in Bilbao. The North Londoners are expected to make a decision on the Aussie's successor next week and though there is yet to be any contact with Brentford, their boss Frank is the favourite for the role. Spurs said the decision to axe Postecoglou was one of the 'toughest' the board has had to make in a statement, which contained no comment from Levy. The statement read: 'We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the club. 'Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. 'However, the board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the club for a change to take place. "Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. 'This culminated in our worst-ever Premier League finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph. 'It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. Postecoglou unrecognisable in amazing throwback video as first club share emotional 3-minute tribute after Europa League 'This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. 'We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision.' The statement went on to wish Postecoglou all the best for the future and that he will always be welcome back in N17. It also claimed an appointment of a new head coach will be announced 'in due course'. Frank, who has worked wonders at Brentford, is in the box seat, though Marco Silva of Fulham is also in the frame. 4 There was interest in Simone Inzaghi before he joined Al-Hilal as well as FA Cup winner Oliver Glasner, who has said he is '99 per cent' sure he is staying with Crystal Palace. Spurs have been talking with managers for some time, with Fabio Paratici - expected to return in some capacity when his 30-month ban for malpractice at Juventus ends at the end of this month - understood to be having an influence. Firing Postecoglou and hiring Frank could prove a costly business, with the former's compensation in the millions and the latter's release clause believed to be around £10million. Postecoglou also walks away with £2m in a bonus for landing the Europa League - the club's first trophy since the League Cup in 2008. He becomes the 13th permanent manager to be sacked by Levy during his 25-year reign in charge of Spurs, during which the club have won just two trophies. Ange Breaks Silence On Tottenham Sacking ANGE Postecoglou issued a statement just moments after being axed. It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. "The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. "Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. "That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. "There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. "We have also laid the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. "I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. "I know there were some difficult times, but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. "It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis. "And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. "A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. 'We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.' Postecoglou said in a statement: 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride. 'The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. "Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. 'That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. 'There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. 'We have also laid foundations that meant this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. "I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them."