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UK Edition
8th August 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

More firms are merging HR and IT departments

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of senior IT decision makers at large companies expect their HR and IT functions to merge within five years, according to a survey by Nexthink, a firm that makes workplace software. Tracey Franklin, the chief people and digital technology officer at biotechnology company Moderna, says her role is being an architect of how work is done. She explains: "I am responsible for the entire HR function and the entire IT function . . . It's [about] how work flows through the organisation, and what should be done with technology – whether that's hardware or software or AI – and where you complement human skills around that." Meanwhile, software company Covisian merged its IT and HR teams in 2023 under the leadership of Fabio Sattolo, chief people and technology officer. He was previously CTO. "If we bring [IT and people] together, we can have a common vision for how technology can have an impact on people and how people can adapt and evolve to leverage the new technology," Sattolo says.
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WORKFORCE

GMC flags doctor stress and retention concerns

According to the General Medical Council's (GMC) 2025 workforce experience report, 31% of trainee medics took sick leave due to stress in the past year. This is significantly higher than the 23% rate among all doctors. Approximately 24,000 of the 77,000 resident doctors in the UK reported stress-related absences. The GMC has also issued a warning over doctor retention. Its report shows that 19% are considering working abroad. The report also highlights concerns over career progression, with one in three doctors saying they feel unable to advance.

Record number of 18-year-olds could snag first choice place

UCAS chief executive Dr Jo Saxton has said that a record number of 18-year-old school leavers are likely to get into their first choice of university this year, and "uncertainty" around international student numbers means institutions will "quite possibly" accept more students who failed to meet their offer conditions. Dr Saxton said it is a "really, really good year to be a UK-domiciled 18-year-old that wants to go to one of our world-class universities," and that those universities are "recognising, actually, that a three-year undergraduate student is stability for your teaching and learning, for your university community, for your financial planning."
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LEGAL

Record rise in modern slavery victims

The number of potential victims of modern slavery referred to the Home Office has reached a record high. In the quarter from April to June 2025, 5,690 individuals were referred, marking a 32% increase from the same period last year. UK nationals comprised 23% of referrals, the highest number since the National Referral Mechanism began in 2009. Almost three-quarters (74%) of all referrals were male. Anti-Slavery Commissioner Eleanor Lyons said the figures "show that a record number of victims of modern slavery are being exploited." She added: "Shockingly, a record number of young boys are being exploited and more UK nationals are victims of modern slavery than ever before." The government aims to address a backlog of cases awaiting decisions by December 2026.

Ban trans women from single-sex spaces, EHRC to say

The Equal Human Rights Commission (EHRC) will submit revised guidelines to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family by the end of this month to restrict transgender people from using single gender spaces for any place that serves the public, including schools, hospitals, leisure centres and cinemas. The EHRC rejected a request to ease restrictions to make it easier for transgender groups to access services of their chosen gender.
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WORKPLACE

Family court judge sanctioned over angry outburst

Family court judge Her Honour Judge Martine Kushner has been issued with formal advice for misconduct after she "snapped" at a litigant. Three complaints received by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) were similar in nature and included that the judge "raised her voice and shouted at legal parties or representatives during the hearings." A JCIO spokesperson said: "The guide to judicial conduct reminds judicial office-holders to be courteous, patient, tolerant and punctual and to respect the dignity of all . . .  to act professionally and courteously, including under pressure and to avoid shouting or snapping."

The troubling decline in conscientiousness

The FT's John Burn-Murdoch considers data which suggests the trait of conscientiousness (the quality of being dependable and disciplined) is fading out - and especially quickly among young adults.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Genetic breakthrough in chronic fatigue syndrome

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland have identified genetic differences in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Their study, part of the DecodeME project, analysed DNA from 15,579 people with chronic fatigue and 259,909 healthy volunteers. They found eight genetic regions linked to the immune and nervous systems, suggesting a biological basis for the condition. Researcher Andy Devereux-Cooke said: "These results will not mean that a test or cure will be developed straight away, but they will lead to a greater understanding." The study has not yet been peer-reviewed.
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INTERNATIONAL

Black women unemployment rate in US rises to 6.3%

The US economy is holding steady, yet Black women are experiencing a troubling rise in unemployment, with a rate of 6.3% reported in July, up from 5.8% the previous month. The increase is part of a broader trend: Black women lost approximately 304,000 jobs between February and April 2025, while the overall workforce added 175,000 jobs. Jessica Fulton, a senior fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a think tank with a focus on Black Americans, observes that any cracks within the overall US economy always show up for Black workers first. “Black workers, and particularly Black women, show up as a canary in the coal mine, giving a picture of what may happen to everyone else later,” Fulton said.

P&G Korea seeks to empower Gen Z job seekers

P&G Korea is actively supporting young job seekers from Generation Z, who often face challenges entering the job market due to a lack of experience. The company has initiated internship programmes aimed at enhancing their skills in a global context. Recently, 15 interns visited P&G's Singapore office, participating in mentoring sessions, career workshops, and tours of research facilities. Oh Seo-young from P&G Korea's Human Resource Division said: “We are focusing on providing potentially talented interns with an opportunity to develop their professional skills through our internship programmes.” The company is currently accepting applicants for its internship programme, which runs until August, and promotes internal advancement through its “Build from Within” initiative, encouraging interns to aspire to higher positions within the organisation.

UAE private sector employees call for hybrid work amid heat

As temperatures in the UAE soar above 51°C, many employees face challenging commutes despite official warnings to stay indoors. Socelle Fuentes, a video editor, is advocating for "flexible work-from-home policies" during peak summer to enhance employee wellbeing and productivity. The extreme heat has led to increased health issues, with doctors reporting more cases of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Neeha, a data scientist, describes her daily commute as a "test of endurance." Government employees benefit from flexible working hours, and private companies are being encouraged to adopt similar models. The UAE's Ministry of Health advises residents to stay hydrated and wear breathable clothing to cope with the heat.

Thailand's human capital development 'faces challenges'

The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and UNICEF have released a report highlighting critical gaps in Thailand's human capital development. The report, titled Human Capital Development in Thailand: An Examination of Gaps, Bottlenecks, and Policy Options, reveals that many children lack essential skills and health. Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative for Thailand, said: "Thailand stands at a pivotal moment in addressing long-term challenges." Key issues include malnutrition, low educational quality, and a mismatch between education and employment. The report calls for urgent policy action to invest in youth and address these challenges.
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OTHER

India rejects call to change ‘GAY’ airport code

India’s civil aviation ministry has dismissed calls to change the “GAY” code for Gaya International Airport after Bhim Singh, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, deemed it “offensive.” The ministry said such International Air Transport Association (IATA) codes are permanent and can only be altered for aviation safety reasons. Singh had told the upper house of India’s parliament that the word “gay” was “socially and culturally offensive and uncomfortable,” particularly for a religious destination such as the city of Gaya. LGBTQ+ advocates in India have condemned Singh’s comments.
 
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