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UK Edition
5th February 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Youth mental health crisis costs Britain over £1trn a year
Research published by four charities - the Centre for Young Lives, YoungMinds, the Young People's Mental Health Coalition, and the Centre for Mental Health -  estimates that Britain will lose £1trn a year in lifetime lost earnings due to the mental health crisis in young people and the lack of capacity to address it. The charities have urged the government to "acknowledge the scale of the crisis in children's mental health and ignore 'wishful thinking' that it is exaggerated or a result of 'over-medicalisation'". A fifth of children and young people experience common mental health problems, the study found, impacting school attendance and future earnings potential, while on the treatment side, a "lack of capacity in the system means too many young people reach crisis point, putting pressure on emergency, urgent and crisis services, straining bed capacity and creating enormous waiting times."
REMOTE WORKING
Citi boss champions hybrid working
Jane Fraser, the British CEO of Citigroup, has reaffirmed the bank's commitment to hybrid working, allowing staff to work remotely up to two days a week. The decision contrasts with other Wall Street firms including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, which are pushing for a full return to the office. Fraser believes that this flexible approach is beneficial for recruitment. Despite concerns from some executives about the impact of remote work on corporate culture and junior staff development, Citigroup says it remains focused on maintaining its flexible policy. Fraser, who has been leading Citi for nearly four years, is also working to improve the bank's performance by simplifying its operations.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Lloyd's chair supports diversity drive
Nick Line, the newly-appointed chair of inclusion at Lloyd's of London, has stressed the importance of ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion (D&I) within the insurance sector. Line said: “To help secure the future of our industry and ensure its longevity, we need to make the London insurance market a career destination of choice that is accessible to everyone.” He highlighted the need for challenging conversations and the development of communities to create a more welcoming marketplace. Line concluded: “It's crucial – now more than ever – that we use the momentum we've worked so hard to establish, to deliver what we've set out to achieve.”
BT scraps diversity targets from bonuses
BT has told major investors that it intends to replace the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) component of its manager bonus scheme with a measure of employee engagement. The current system is based on targets for the representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people, and on measures of employee engagement among under-represented groups. Next year, a survey of engagement of all employees will underpin the calculation. The change comes as part of a strategic overhaul initiated by CEO Allison Kirkby, who only last week criticised companies for “stepping back from their commitment to inclusion.”
Streeting: DEI in NHS hampered by ‘anti-whiteness'
Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, called for the NHS to refocus on the core principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion (DEI) during a recent event for World Cancer Day. He expressed concern that misguided approaches, such as promoting "anti-whiteness," are hindering progress in DEI. He said there were “real issues of inequality that affect white working class people.” Streeting also cited evidence showing black men are twice as likely as white men to suffer prostate cancer, and black women much more likely to die in childbirth compared with white counterparts. He called for a more evidence-based approach to tackle health inequalities, asserting that “the clue is in the name – it's equality, it should be applicable to everyone.” He concluded that ideological distractions must be set aside to address the pressing health inequalities facing the nation.
LEGAL
Tribunal hears NHS changing room trans row case
A nurse who was suspended after complaining about sharing a changing room with a transgender colleague has begun giving evidence at an employment tribunal. Sandie Peggie claims being made to get changed beside Dr Beth Upton - who is a trans woman - amounted to unlawful harassment under the Equality Act.  Peggie told the first day of the tribunal that she felt "embarrassed and intimidated" when Upton started getting changed in the room at Victoria Hospital, Kirkaldy, in December 2023. The nurse's claim is disputed by NHS Fife, which has described the case as unnecessary and vexatious.
WORKFORCE
Trading standards services under strain
According to Which?, consumers are increasingly vulnerable to crime and unsafe products due to significant cuts in trading standards services. A recent study revealed that some councils have fewer than one trading standards officer per 100,000 residents. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute reported a more than 50% reduction in funding over the past decade, coinciding with a rise in fraud, which now constitutes over 40% of all crimes. The research also showed that the lack of resources has led to a "postcode lottery" in consumer protection, with some areas significantly better staffed than others. Heather Kidd from the Local Government Association attributed these issues to "ongoing budget constraints" and an ageing workforce.
HIRING
Aldi to create 1,600 new jobs
Aldi is set to create 1,600 new roles in the UK as it expands its store presence, contrasting sharply with the recent job cuts at Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons. Sales at Aldi have grown by 3.4% year on year, with its premium range increasing by 12%. The supermarket has also maintained its position as the UK's cheapest for the fourth consecutive year, with an average shopping list costing £100.29. Aldi's market share has risen to over 10%, and it is projected to surpass Asda as the UK's third-largest supermarket by 2028.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Local pharmacies face new weight-loss regulations
New regulations from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC) will enforce stricter checks for online weight-loss jab prescriptions. The GPC has mandated that pharmacies conduct two-way consultations rather than relying solely on patient questionnaires. The change aims to ensure safe prescribing of drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro. Prescribers will be required to verify a patient's BMI through video consultations, in-person meetings, or by accessing medical records. The GPC's decision follows concerns about unsafe prescribing practices, particularly for individuals with a history of eating disorders or low body weight.
INTERNATIONAL
DEI work will continue amid backlash, executive says
Amira Barger, executive vice president of communications and head of DEI advisory at global communications firm Edelman, tells AP News that efforts to diversify workplaces and promote equality will continue despite a sweeping crackdown by the Trump administration. "When DEI initiatives are attacked, companies need to be prepared to address the criticism by being really clear about demonstrating positive impacts of this kind of work. That means defending the work with facts. From increased innovation to a greater sense of belonging among employees, there are very real outcomes that companies can use to show measurable progress because of the existence of these programs," Barger says.
Most Indian workers plan to prioritise family In 2025
Four-fifths (78%) of employees in India say they aim to prioritise family time over career advancement in 2025, according to a report by job site Indeed which looks at workers' aspirations for the year ahead in key Asia Pacific markets including India, Singapore, Australia, and Japan. Employees want less stress and a greater focus on mental well-being while enjoying well-paid jobs which offer flexibility for family and personal interests, the report finds. “We’re definitely seeing a shift in what matters to Indian workers," observes Rachael Townsley, Marketing Director (Australia, India and Singapore) at Indeed. "More and more, people are telling us they want to find a better balance between work and home life. While earning more is important, the dream career for most isn’t about moving up the ladder - it’s about feeling secure, being paid fairly, and having benefits that actually make a difference. It’s a reminder that creating workplaces where people feel supported in both their work and personal lives isn’t just nice to have -- it’s essential for helping people thrive," Townsley added.
Workplace discrimination has declined in Singapore, study says
According to a 2024 study by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) in collaboration with racial and religious harmony non-governmental organisation OnePeople.sg, Singaporeans have reported a decrease in racial discrimination at work. The study found that 18.4% of Malays and 16.7% of Indians experienced discrimination in job applications or promotions, down from over 25% in previous surveys. The report highlights that while overall discrimination has decreased, issues persist, particularly regarding perceptions of promotions based on race rather than qualifications. OnePeople.sg chair Dr Janil Puthucheary notes the need for both legislative measures and community efforts to address these challenges.
Danish union leader could back 'war tax' on workers or companies
Morten Skov Christiansen, chair of the Danish Trade Union Confederation, has expressed openness to implementing a 'war tax' to significantly increase Denmark's defence budget. He emphasised that any such tax should be 'reasonable'. The proposal comes amid growing discussions on how to enhance national security in response to global tensions. Christiansen's stance reflects a broader sentiment within the union regarding the need for increased military funding while balancing the financial burden on citizens.
 


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