The vast majority of people in the UK get extremely hot under the collar when they witness examples of poor parking.

New research by Confused.com shows 84 per cent of Britons are angered by bad parking, despite the fact 41 per cent admit they are not particularly good at it themselves.

Some 40 per cent of respondents to the website's study said they believe selfish parkers should face fines, while 12 per cent would even support more drastic action to deter bad parking, such as towing cars away.

People aged 25 to 34 are the worst offenders when it comes to selfish parking, with 66 per cent of those in this age range confessing to leaving their vehicle in an unacceptable position. Overall, 11 per cent said they have blocked another car in when parking at some point.

A number of reasons are given for substandard parking, including being in a rush (48 per cent of people admitted to this), being unable to find a suitable space (29 per cent), thinking the fact there were few other cars around made leaving theirs fine (22 per cent) and finding a town so busy that parking anywhere was the only option (19 per cent).

Gemma Stanbury, head of car insurance at Confused.com, said: "The reason behind such bad parking seems to be that some drivers on our roads today may struggle with parking their car, or are too rushed to take the time to think of other drivers around them. However, we urge motorists to exercise good car parking etiquette and think of other motorists."

Local authorities who believe this is a problem in their area are advised to employ more people in parking jobs in London especially, to ensure drivers are adhering to the rules and leaving their cars in the right places.

There will always be people who break the regulations in their town or city, with eight per cent indicating they feel it is acceptable to park illegally or inconsiderately when they are out to pick up an important purchase.

Last year was a strong 12 months for the new car industry in the UK, which recorded its highest sales figures since 2007.

New statistics released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show there were nearly 2.3 million new vehicles registered in the country in 2013 - 10.8 per cent up on the total introduced in the previous year.

What's more, this figure eclipsed the SMMT's own prediction of 2.25 million for the year, making 2013 one of the most positive spells on record.

On average, around 600 additional new cars were registered every day last year than in 2012, underlining just how quickly the sector is growing in Britain. December was the 22nd consecutive month in which a rise in new car registrations was reported.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said the best year since the recession began is great news and further evidence that the new car market is helping to stimulate the UK's economy.

"While the European market is only now showing signs of improvement, the UK has consistently outperformed the rest of Europe with 22 consecutive months of growth … We expect new car registrations to remain stable in 2014 as customers return to a more regular replacement cycle," he explained.

All of this means the UK is now firmly established as Europe's second largest car market and further growth of around one per cent is predicted this year.

This could lead to a continued increase in the number of automotive jobs made available in Britain, with several large manufacturers based in the country.

Mr Hawes added that the 10.8 per cent rise in 2013 reflects not only the success of the UK market, but also the attractive financial offers that were made available by many brands.

There is also a strong demand for more technologically advanced new cars, so companies that can provide these are sure to do well.

If you're looking to get into the automotive industry, then contact Unity Recruitment & we'll help you find your dream position.

More people in the UK are showing an interest in buying a luxury car, a 4x4 or an executive vehicle.

Such a conclusion was drawn from Auto Trader's latest research, which showed searches for all these motors on its website have been up in recent times.

Indeed, in the three months from September, searches for luxury cars increased by 4.1 per cent, while the number of people showing an interest in 4x4s was up by three per cent and executive cars enjoyed a 3.3 per cent boom.

A number of different models are popular in these markets, with a quarter of all advertisements for 4x4 vehicles being Land Rovers, but the Porsche Cayenne is still the most profitable.

Jonathan Williams, marketing director at Auto Trader, said: "While the rise in 4x4 searches towards the end of the year can be seen as a seasonal phenomenon, the corresponding surge in luxury and executive car searches does suggest consumer confidence has returned to the  market."

Overall, some 466 million searches were made on the site between September and November last year, indicating the car market is becoming increasingly bullish. Everything from small city cars to sports vehicles and MPVs are becoming more popular with buyers.

In the coming months, this could translate into a rise in production levels at some of the UK's major car plants, perhaps triggering a recruitment drive for automotive jobs.

Mr Williams predicted there will in fact be a continuation of the rise in new car sales seen last year and this will eventually ease some of the pressure on used vehicle prices that exists at the moment. He added that new stock is likely to come on to the market at some point.

Right now, more than eight per cent of all the stock advertised on Auto Trader is a 4x4, while two of the three models that showed the biggest monthly gains in searches in November were also off-road vehicles.

If your an automotive business looking for recruits for your positions, then contact the team at Unity Recruitment today.

The new year is seen in many industries as a chance to start again and to implement plans that have been in the offing for some time & this can be greatly benefited by those looking for jobs/candidates for jobs with Unity Recruitment.

With the start of 2014 just a week or so away, the automotive industry is sure to be no different - and the good news for those in the sector is that a guide to the lessons they can learn next year has been published by Evolution Time Critical.

The firm explained it has a number of pointers for the automotive industry in 2014 and believes following its tips could lead to improvements and success over the coming months.

It started by suggesting that increasing production agility should be a priority for car companies, just as it has been in 2013.

Brad Brennan, managing director at Evolution Time Critical, said: "A successful agile production footprint is dependent on a consideration of the requirements of all parties in the supply chain and a unity that allows the production cycle to work as one, which ultimately benefits original equipment manufacturers, suppliers and consumers."

Unified product management is named as another key issue heading into the new year, with more sophisticated production methods said to have piled more pressure on OEMs to work with the most efficient methods.

Professionals in automotive jobs should also be keeping a close eye on global market variance, as it is clear that supply and demand will vary at all times in different parts of the world. Mistakes in this area can lead to a lack of stock in places it is needed and vice versa.

There will be fluctuating supply requirements through the year and in various locations, so working to a schedule that allows for peaks and troughs is a good idea.

Evolution Time Critical went on to explain the importance of increasing quality and reducing costs, which is sure to be a blueprint for success in the automotive industry in 2014.

Authorities in Preston are doing their best to encourage people to visit the city in 2014 by freezing parking tariffs in all council-run facilities.

Bosses at the town hall have decided to stick with the same pricing structure for the next year, despite recording a fall in income in their most recent results, reports the Lancashire Evening Post.

The car parks that are included in the scheme are those at the Bus Station, Market Hall, Avenham and Hill Street. By freezing the parking tariffs, Preston City Council is hoping to encourage more people to visit the conurbation in the coming months.

Councillor Robert Boswell, cabinet member for environment, said the local authority has held a full review of its parking facilities and this has led to it making the decision to freeze prices, while it will also offer discounts to city centre workers.

"As a council, we are doing what we can to try and encourage people into the city centre with an arts and culture programme and a series of events supported by affordable car parking," he stated.

"When people use council car parks, the money is put back into essential public services and by keeping rates largely the same for the past two years we expect to see more people using our facilities."

Regardless of the price any council is charging drivers to leave their car in a particular space, it is important they recruit people in parking jobs to ensure the rules and regulations are adhered to and anyone who flouts the guidelines is punished with a penalty notice.

There has been a fall in the use of car parks in Preston, with the Avenham multi-storey said to have been the worst hit, so focusing on parking here could be a shrewd policy in the near future.

The Bus Station car park also recorded a decline in use, with income falling by 25 per cent in September, while Market Hall lost about ten per cent.

If you'd like information on how we can help you recruit for parking positions, get in contact with Unity Recruitment today.

Good news for job seekers! The prospects for the UK's employment market are good, with more businesses intending to hire additional workers in 2014.

According to a new survey by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the long-term outlook for the jobs market is good as firms are keen to take on both permanent and temporary staff in the coming months.

Of the employers questioned by the REC, almost two-thirds (64 per cent) said they have plans to recruit more permanent employees in the next quarter. This is nine per cent higher than the proportion who planned to do so at this time last year.

More than half (56 per cent) of bosses intend to make more permanent hires in the next four to 12 months, which is also up on the 53 per cent who suggested they wanted to do this from January 2013.

Kevin Green, chief executive at the REC, said: "It's a bumper Christmas for the UK jobs market as employers indicate they intend to grow their workforces in 2014. This is good news for jobseekers. Compared to this time last year businesses are far more willing to commit to taking on more staff as they see demand for their products and services returning."

Small businesses seem to be the most confident of all about their recruitment prospects for 2014, while the areas in which candidate shortages are a possibility include driving, distribution and education - potentially making it a good year for those with relevant skills.

Temporary workers will also be extremely popular this year, with 33 per cent of employers planning to take on these employees in the next 12 months. This is three percentage points up on the results from November.

Agency staff are another option open to firms, with 47 per cent of employers telling the REC they are planning to increase their use of these professionals in the next three months.

If you're in the job market, looking for a new position, contact Unity Recruitment today and let us help you find your dream position.

The UK's automobile industry has been advised not to worry about a slightly disappointing November in terms of production levels.

Recent figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed there was a 3.6 per cent reverse in the number of vehicles built in Britain last month in comparison with the same month last year.

But the year-to-date figures are still 4.5 per cent up on 2012, so the motor brands that use the UK as a production base have been told not to worry about a single month of decline.

John Leech, UK head of automotive at KPMG, said one reason for the trend is that several manufacturers - including BMW and Nissan - are in the process of preparing for new model launches, so have turned down production levels on previous cars as these sell out.

"The industry is in confident mood as its key export market, the EU, continues to recover, posting its third straight monthly sales increase. Most analysts are now forecasting EU car sales will grow in 2014, reversing six-straight years of falls," the expert explained.

He went on to note it is not only sales to Europe that will keep the UK car production market progressing nicely, as the domestic sector is also looking good.

While Britain's car market is not expected to grow as quickly in 2014 as it did this year, it should still record expansion of around five per cent. Mr Leech noted this is proof that it is "almost back to its long-run sales average".

With prospects for the sector continuing to look strong, there may be a good chance that more automotive jobs will be created in 2014 as many major brands look to increase production.

Looking overseas, Mr Leech added that car sales in northern EU countries are around three-quarters of their long-run average, while in Mediterranean nations the rate is about half of the typical figure. This highlights just how bright the UK's new vehicles market is.

For all automotive recruitment, contact Unity Recruitment today. We are the specialists.

The used car market is a good barometer of the strength of the UK's automobile sector and it appears it is likely to remain strong in 2014 which is great for automotive job seekers with Unity Recruitment.

Average used car values have hit all-time highs in 2013 and British Car Auctions (BCA) has predicted this will once again be the case next year.

With the availability of used cars of the standard required by retailers set to remain relatively limited, dealers will be in a position to charge high prices for their vehicles.

Simon Henstock, UK operations director at BCA, explained the organisation has seen a healthy rise in dealer part-exchanges this year, which backs up the idea that retail sales have been strong. He pointed to fleet and lease stock as one area that is limited at the moment.

"While new car volumes have recovered well in 2013, it will be some time before we see those volumes reach the used car sector. As the chart shows, the availability of three-to-five-year-old cars will continue to be depressed at least until 2015, when compared to the volumes available before the recession took hold," he stated.

All of this suggests values will continue to remain at or above record highs, as a lack of supply pushes prices up.

Such a trend could be good news for car showrooms all around the UK and those who wish to apply for automotive jobs that allow them to showcase their sales abilities.

The latest figures from the BCA's Pulse Report indicates used car values in 2013 witnessed a substantial year-on-year growth in comparison with the results from 2012, with a boom of about 15 per cent recorded.

Professional buyers are said to be focused on investing in older, higher mileage cars for resale.

Mr Henstock went on to explain that a year ago many experts felt the upward trend in used car values could not be maintained, but the results in 2013 suggest there is no sign of a fall coming any time soon.

New regulations being considered by the Conservatives would mean the end for fixed cameras and spy cars designed to catch people who park illegally.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles wants to ban cameras from the streets and instead rely on traffic wardens to pick up on parking offences on the UK's road network. He believes some of the tactics used are "over-zealous and unfair" and the situation could be improved by relying on civil enforcement officers with cameras of their own.

In the last five years alone, fixed cameras and those mounted on to enforcement cars have been used to issue in excess of ten million fines. This has generated £301 million, but doing so in a potentially unfair way that should not be allowed.

Mr Pickles told the BBC he believes the law could be changed by Easter, meaning it would become the responsibility of civil enforcement officers to identify instances in which people have parked illegally and hand out the relevant punishment notices.

"We want to rein in these over-zealous and unfair rules on parking enforcement, so it focuses on supporting high streets and motorists, not raising money. Parking spy cars are just one example of this and a step too far. Public confidence is strengthened in CCTV if it is used to tackle crime, not to raise money for council coffers," Mr Pickles stated.

The previous Labour government brought in the 2004 Traffic Management Act and, under this, 75 councils have won permission to use CCTV cameras and other approved devices to catch rogue parkers. A third of all the fines handed out by these authorities are now the result of cameras rather than parking attendants.

Should Mr Pickles and the Conservatives get their way, a raft of new opportunities in parking jobs could be opened up as councils must rely solely on them to dish out fines.

As part of the proposal, all data on parking will be made freely available, people's right to appeal when caught will be improved and unnecessary yellow lines will be reviewed.

Stay up to date on news on traffic and parking jobs with Unity Recruitment.

Residents of a village in Kent have been invited to air their views on proposed local parking restrictions.

Sevenoaks District Council has launched a consultation that will enable the people of Dunton Green to share their thoughts on 19 different issues. The process will remain open until December 22nd.

Some of the possible changes include the introduction of yellow lines and parking bays.

The consultation was launched after a number of residents lodged complaints about drivers taking liberties on Station Approach in particular, the Sevenoaks Chronicle reports.

Some people felt motorists were putting people's lives at risk by parking too close to junctions, blocking the view of passing vehicles. Concerns have also been raised about the accessibility of local shops.

A spokesman for the council told the news provider why new parking measures need to be sanctioned.

"Introducing a charge has the benefit of encouraging more use of the private station car park and it also discourages those who choose to use the station because of the free parking rather than use their local station," he was quoted as saying.

Possible restrictions may also be introduced to monitor parking around the new Rye Lane housing development.

The local authority confirmed that all opinions shared via the consultation will be analysed by the Sevenoaks Joint Transportation Board in March 2014 and any resultant changes will take place next summer.

Although it is difficult to say exactly what reforms will be made at this stage, filling a variety of parking jobs could be the best way to tackle the issue, as the successful candidates may be used to ensure new rules are being adhered to.

Of course, such problems not exclusive to remote villages in Kent.

Councils up and down the country have been planning parking policy changes recently, as the number of vehicles registered for use on the UK's roads continues to increase.

Earlier this month, the Bristol Post reported that a new scheme had been rolled out in the Clifton area in order to prevent an excessive number of cars from clogging up the streets.

If you'd like to speak to Unity Recruitment about potential hiring for parking positions for your organisation, contact us today!