The Labour Party has officially begun its search for a new General Secretary with a prominent advert in today's Guardian.

Anyone interested should click here.

I hear this morning that a training initiative is to start to get people into jobs that are currently being filled by skilled immigrants.

But isn't it the case that these employers who can't find skilled staff are not paying a living wage?  And by living wage this should include a mortgage on an affordable home?

But then I also hear this week that Brown has put pressure on the Bank of England to cut interest rates - this will maintain the house price inflation and at the same time ensure that banks have to go outside the country to get the cash they need. Once upon a time pensioners used to get a decent return on savings, but today the big banks don't care about domestic savings - they'll get their income from sub-prime sources at high rates.

So the dollar is protected by UK rates being lowered and house prices will continue to soar - pay us the wage that will buy these houses!

I read today that Hazel Blears is warning that immigration is going to become the biggest issue that Labour must address.

Well at last the warnings from Frank Field and others have been listened to.   Other Labour MPs have spoken about builders daily pay rates being halved.

Adam Bowen adam.bowen@bbc.co.uk Researcher, Politics Show (vacancy no: 82676)
Close Date: 10/09/2006
Job Ref: 82676
Department: Political Programmes
Location: Central London
Grade: 5D
Contract Length: 5 months (contract until end February 2007)
Contract Type: Attachment, Contract

Excuses, exuses.

Employers still not paying the minimum wage, HMRC has identified £3.3m in underpaid wages.