This monthly guide to the state of the labour market contains statistics and analysis of the latest trends, covering issues such as employment, unemployment, economic activity and inactivity, earnings, claimant count, government employment, vacancies, hours, labour disputes and training. It gives the latest results from national surveys, plus the most significant findings from the government's labour market research programme.

This is the fourth National Statistics annual report which highlights the variety of work carried out by statisticians and other analysts in the Government Statistical Service (GSS) during the year 2003-04. It considers the progress made in implementing the statistical plans set out in the National Statistics Work Programme for 2003/04 to 2005/06, across three main areas of work: major developments in cross-cutting departmental or theme boundaries; work carried out under the aegis of the 12 National Statistics Theme Groups; and quality improvements carried out in the context of the National Statistics Quality Review Programme.

Twice a year, the OECD Economic Outlook analyses the major trends that will mark the next two years. This issues special features cover housing and mortgage market arrangements, the large US external deficit, stock market gyrations, and structural reform and EU accession.

Publishes in-depth articles on labor subjects, current labor statistics, information about current labor contracts, and book reviews.

Talk of a demographic time bomb is not new. The notion first entered public consciousness some time ago, but there is a lack of clarity about what such talk is really all about. Ageing populations are seen both as a threat and an opportunity. There is concern about discrimination against older workers, at the same time as there is concern about a shortage of labour. Migration of labour from places with young populations to places with ageing populations is sometimes seen in a positive light and sometimes quite differently. With chapters reflecting different perspectives from around the world, this book constitutes a major contribution to serious, informed debate on issues that all too often have been the subject of sensationalised media treatment. Professor Stella Vettori has assembled a collection of expert writers on the social, cultural, political and economic factors that have implications both for labour markets and the well being of older people both in developed and developing countries. As a result, anyone involved with workplace and employment policy and practice, and issues of diversity and discrimination, either at a corporate or societal level, will want to read this book. Policy implications are considered and possible solutions to seemingly intractable problems are offered in a remarkable book that embraces serious academic debate and a practical focus on real issues.