Human Times

UK Edition

20th October 2025

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THE HOT STORY

Christmas job searches at nine-year high

The tightening UK labour market has driven Christmas job searches to a nine-year high, up 28% from last year, with growing numbers of professionals and graduates seeking seasonal roles as a pathway to permanent employment. Petra Tagg of Manpower UK estimates that a quarter of applicants are recent graduates, while John Lewis has seen a 50% rise in applicants for its 13,700 festive positions. Jo Rackham, interim chief people officer for the John Lewis Partnership, said: "There shouldn’t be any stigma about seasonal roles - they're so important and they both require and teach some really valuable skills." Experts also highlight that seasonal roles, particularly in retail, logistics, and hospitality, can help employers identify future high-performing staff. Tesco is hiring for 28,500 festive roles, with Elzbieta Golab, group people services director, describing Christmas jobs as a "key pipeline for our future leaders."

The I

The Times

BENEFITS & HR BENCHMARKING

Benchmark your benefits against industry leaders

From cost challenges and wellbeing pressures to evolving employee expectations, HR and Reward leaders are facing more complexity than ever. This puts your benefits strategy under the spotlight. Every decision counts. That’s why Gallagher’s UK Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey is back.

It’s your chance to see where the market is heading and find out how your strategy compares to 300+ leading organisations like Kraft Heinz, TalkTalk, Santander, ClearBank, and Next PLC who contributed last year. By completing the survey, you’ll get exclusive early access to our 2026 Workforce Trends Report and discover emerging trends in pay transparency, flexible benefits, and new working models.

Complete the survey.

HIRING

Ministers consider hiring subsidies for youth

The UK Government is considering financial support to encourage companies to hire younger workers, aiming to reduce the number of 16- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment, or training (NEETs). Current tax incentives for hiring under-21s and apprentices may be expanded to include workers up to 24. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden prioritises addressing the rising NEET figures. The Government's "youth guarantee" policy promises paid work or training for young people on universal credit for 18 months, with sanctions for non-compliance.

The I

WORKFORCE

Gen Z quits banking for start-ups

Generation Z is increasingly leaving banking jobs for entrepreneurial opportunities and flexible work, according to a KPMG survey. Nearly 50% of financial services executives reported a rise in Gen Z departures over the past year, with 54% in banking. The main reasons include a preference for start-ups (42%), self-employment (35%), and the desire for flexibility or remote work (34%). Cost of living concerns also influenced their decisions.

The I

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

New 'V-level' qualification unveiled to tackle skills gaps

Ministers plan a new vocational "V-level" for 16- to 19-year-olds in England and Wales to address skills shortages and reduce youth unemployment.

Financial Times

REMUNERATION

Centrica and others named for underpaying staff

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has named nearly 500 employers, including Centrica, Euro Garages, and Holland & Barrett, for underpaying staff. These companies collectively owe over £10m, with 42,000 workers receiving more than £6m in repayments. Business Secretary Peter Kyle stated: "Our Plan to Make Work Pay cracks down on those not playing by the rules." Euro Garages topped the list, underpaying 3,317 workers by over £824,000. All firms cited past payroll issues and claimed to have rectified the problems.

BBC News

TAX

Tax hikes threaten UK jobs market

More than half of UK businesses may cut jobs or halt hiring if taxes rise in the upcoming Budget, according to a survey by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). The survey, involving around 650 professionals, revealed that 56% would reduce headcount or freeze recruitment. ICAEW chief executive Alan Vallance warned: "Policymakers talk a lot about growth, but the businesses trying to deliver it are being held back." The survey also indicated that 39% of firms would cut investment, further threatening economic growth.

The Daily Telegraph

City AM

OBR underestimates non-dom exodus by 50%

Analysis of government data by the consultancy Chamberlain Walker indicates that 1,800 non-doms have left the UK since changes in April meant they would have to pay UK taxes on their overseas income and wealth. This is 50% more than forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility. Chamberlain Walker founding partner Chris Walker explains that the OBR prediction used HMRC data, but because the wealthiest non-doms are investors, not workers, they would not necessarily be captured in the HMRC data. "The Treasury is effectively flying blind about the behaviour of the most responsive group of non-doms, not knowing for sure who has left the UK so far and the significant tax-revenue implications of those departures," Walker said.

The Sunday Times

Betfred warns of job losses ahead

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' proposed tax increase on gambling firms could jeopardise Betfred's 1,287 shops and 7,500 jobs, warned Fred Done, the company's founder. He described the tax rise as the "biggest threat" to the industry in his 57 years. Reeves suggested the increase to address a £30bn public finance shortfall, stating that gambling firms "should pay their fair share of taxes". Done cautioned that a tax rate of 35% or 40% would eliminate profits, potentially forcing closures. The Betting and Gaming Council also warned that such hikes could drive gambling underground.

Daily Star

WORKPLACE

Toxic atmosphere threatens legal careers

Richard Hermer, the Attorney General, has condemned the "toxic" environment facing legal professionals, warning it could drive them away from their careers. He argued that political attacks on judges and lawyers could lead to fewer legal representatives, impacting access to justice for working-class individuals. Hermer said: "Good lawyers and judges are reconsidering their careers, as a direct consequence of the toxic atmosphere." He noted that ongoing threats against legal professionals could delay trials and hinder justice, particularly for vulnerable victims. The Bar Council and other legal bodies have also expressed concern over the vilification of lawyers.

Daily Mirror

Women architects face toxic workplace cultures

The Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) and the Fawcett Society's report reveals persistent issues for women in architecture, including bullying, sexual harassment, and unequal pay. Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick, Riba's first female chief executive officer, noted that women from minority ethnic backgrounds face additional challenges. The survey found that half of female respondents experienced bullying, while a third reported sexual harassment. Many women felt that motherhood negatively impacted their career progression, with 83% stating it harmed their careers. Vaughan-Dick emphasised the need for change in the industry, urging a focus on women's experiences.

The Guardian

Could rejection therapy alter workplace risk taking?

Rejection therapy, a social media trend, is now influencing workplace behaviour. Professionals like Colleen McFarland say it builds confidence, while critics caution it lacks structure. Originator Jia Jiang has even trained teams at major firms.

Financial Times

LEGAL

Nurses told trans colleague could teach them to be inclusive

A tribunal expected to begin today will reveal that NHS nurses who complained about a trans woman using their changing room were told they would be given inclusivity training by the person they were complaining about. Eight nurses claim County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust failed to respect their right to privacy by insisting Rose Henderson, a biological male, had a right to change in the female dressing room. They will also claim sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation.

The Daily Telegraph

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Boardroom battle at Big Technologies

Sara Murray, the ousted founder of Big Technologies, has partially succeeded in her attempt to replace chairman Alexander Brennan with James Matheson. Brennan's departure follows allegations of forgery and stock market fraud against Murray, who denies the claims. The company is under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Serious Fraud Office. Murray stated that shareholders are "fed up" with the board's decisions. Big Technologies is also facing a separate civil claim from shareholders seeking £70.1m, alleging unfair treatment during its acquisition of Murray's company Buddi in 2018.

The Times

ISS says Tesla investors should oppose $1tn Elon Musk pay deal

Institutional Shareholder Services, the proxy advisor, has advised Tesla shareholders to vote against Elon Musk’s proposed $1tn pay package, citing the award’s “magnitude and design”.

Financial Times

Former McLaren boss set to take wheel at Porsche

Porsche has appointed Michael Leiters as its new chief executive, effective from 2026, replacing Oliver Blume, who had been criticised for splitting his time between Porsche and its parent Volkswagen.

Financial Times

INTERNATIONAL

US business group sues over H-1B visa fee

The US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers. The fee "will make it cost-prohibitive" for US employers to use the programme, said Neil Bradley, Chief Policy Officer at the largest US business lobbying group. The group argued in its complaint that if implemented, "the fee would inflict significant harm on American businesses," forcing them to either dramatically increase their labour costs or hire fewer highly skilled employees." White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the administration's action on H-1B visas discourages companies from "driving down American wages."

AND FINALLY....

Money’s too tight to tax

The lead singer of Simply Red has complained that Labour does not tax him enough. Mick Hucknall, who is worth £60m, told the Sunday Times he was surprised Labour had not increased taxes on high earners. "I was expecting to pay more income tax. I thought, stick a couple of per cent on me – I’m ready."

The Daily Telegraph

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