Government launches consultations on default retirement-income options and collective pensions for around 17 million private-sector savers.
Staff member · 4 min readChief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds faces criticism after distinguishing employers from “working people” in a GB News interview, reopening Labour’s tax pledge debate.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readChancellor John Healey declines to guarantee that Labour will equalise adult minimum wage rates before the next election, as the April 2027 hourly gap remains £1.94.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readNew rules effective 31 October 2026 align eligible bereaved families’ asbestos and dust-disease compensation rates with sufferers’ awards under two statutory schemes.
Staff member · 3 min readNew trade union access and recognition rules and stronger workplace harassment protections take effect across Great Britain on 30 October 2026.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readThe OBR expects Labour’s Employment Rights Act to have a negative economic impact, but says the size is too uncertain to quantify in its forecast.
Staff member · 3 min readThe National Living Wage will rise by 3.9% to £13.21 an hour from April 2027, with increases also confirmed for younger workers and apprentices.
Staff member · 2 min readBarclays expects to cut around 5,000 jobs worldwide in 2026, with 4,000 still to go, as it expands technology-led efficiency measures despite a 12% rise in quarterly pre-tax profit to £2.3bn.
Staff member · 2 min readFlutter Entertainment has announced proposals for up to 1,400 redundancies across its UK and Ireland business, attributing the restructuring to higher UK gambling taxes.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readUK vacancies fell to an estimated 691,000 in July to September 2026, the first reading below 700,000 since early 2021, according to new ONS figures.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readMinisters have rejected a cross-party committee recommendation to extend employer National Insurance relief to all workers under 25, amid concerns over youth employment costs.
Staff member · 2 min readMore than 325,000 residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation are set to keep more of their earnings under new Housing Benefit rules which came into force on 5 October.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readKemi Badenoch says a future Conservative government would require patients seeking fit notes lasting four weeks or longer to undergo further occupational-health assessment.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readThe Government has announced a scheme offering eligible young people with disabilities or long-term health conditions a guaranteed paid job, with participation remaining voluntary.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readThe Government has announced a new Insourcing Unit to drive what it calls the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation, alongside measures aimed at securing British jobs from utility investment.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readThe Government and defence industry have agreed plans to provide 40,000 opportunities a year for young people by 2030, rising to 50,000 annually by 2035.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readThe Government has formally confirmed that its national Digital ID programme, proposed legislation and mandatory right-to-work element will not proceed, although several separate digital identity services will continue.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readA Scottish Affairs Committee report warns persistent skills shortages could limit Scotland's ability to support the UK's defence strategy and benefit from increased defence spending.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readNew ONS figures show UK payrolled employment falling by an estimated 145,000 over the year as vacancies drop to their lowest level outside the Covid period in more than a decade.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readThe Government has named 658 employers for National Minimum Wage breaches, with around £4 million repaid to more than 27,000 workers and £7 million in penalties imposed.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readRecognised modern-slavery victims on Skilled Worker visas can now leave an exploitative sponsoring employer and work elsewhere for the remainder of their existing visa.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readBusinesses bidding for major central government contracts will receive greater credit for creating local jobs, apprenticeships, training and work placements under procurement rules taking effect in January 2027.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readWhitbread has announced plans to close all remaining Beefeater restaurants, saying significant cost increases, including measures announced in the Government's Autumn Budget, have made the business unsustainable.
Staff member · 2 min read