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UK Edition
19th November 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Chinese agents use LinkedIn to target British MPs

UK lawmakers are being actively targeted by Chinese state agents with lucrative job offers on LinkedIn, according to security agency MI5. An espionage alert issued to MPs, peers and parliamentary staff by security services identified two LinkedIn profiles, which it said are used on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS). House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle circulated the alert, which warned that two "recruitment head-hunters" are "known to be using" profiles on the career-focused social network "to conduct outreach at scale" for the Chinese security services.  The message from Hoyle to MPs went on to say: "Their aim is to collect information and lay the groundwork for long-term relationships, using professional networking sites, recruitment agents and consultants acting on their behalf."
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TECHNOLOGY

Google boss: 'No company immune' if AI bubble bursts

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has told the BBC that every company would be affected if the AI bubble were to burst.  Pichai said the growth of artificial intelligence investment had been an "extraordinary moment", but there was some "irrationality" in the current AI boom. Asked whether Google would be immune to the impact of the AI bubble bursting, Pichai said the Alphabet-owned tech giant could weather that potential storm, but also warned: "I think no company is going to be immune, including us."  Pichai said Google's unique model of owning its own "full stack" of technologies - from semiconductors to YouTube data, to models and frontier science - meant it was in a better position than others to ride out any AI market turbulence.
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STRATEGY

ExxonMobil to close Fife plant

ExxonMobil plans to close its Fife Ethylene Plant in February 2026, risking around 200 direct jobs and over 250 contractor positions. The company cited the UK's economic and policy environment, high supply costs, and plant efficiency as reasons for the closure. Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes expressed disappointment, calling it a significant blow to Scotland's economy. She urged the UK government to take action to support affected workers. The GMB trade union's Robert Deavy called for a strategic approach to protect jobs and energy security amid ongoing industry challenges.
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WORKFORCE

Menopause and caring responsibilities ‘contribute to pensions gender gap'

A report from Scottish Widows indicates a widening pension gap between men and women. Women are projected to have a median private pension wealth of £173,000, £113,000 less than men’s average of £286,000. The report highlights that 58% of women near retirement have taken career breaks, with 40% failing to plan financially for these breaks. Susan Hope, a retirement expert at Scottish Widows, said: “To achieve true equality in retirement, we need to make sure career breaks don't break women's future financial security.” The findings underscore the need for workplace reforms to support women’s financial planning.

Record number of Britons left UK last year

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published a major revision of its immigration and emigration data, showing the number of British nationals leaving the country last year was three times higher than originally thought. Some 257,000 Britons left in 2024, up from the 77,000 originally stated. This means the total net migration figures for 2024 have been revised down to 345,000, lower than the 431,000 previously stated.
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ECONOMY

Insolvencies rise as recession fears grow

Insolvencies in the UK increased by 1.7% in October, with a significant year-on-year rise of 16.7% compared to October 2024, according to the Insolvency Service. A total of 2,029 companies filed for winding up, including 301 compulsory and 1,592 voluntary liquidations. Matthew Richards, head of restructuring at Azets, noted that rising costs and political uncertainties are pressuring businesses. He said: "The prospect of a future recession is a real and serious one." Simon Edel from EY-Parthenon urged companies to focus on strengthening liquidity to ease debt pressures.
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INTERNATIONAL

Irish public asked for their views on right to request remote working

The Irish government has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on the right to request remote working. The rules, which came into force in March last year, require employers and employees to refer to a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) code of practice when considering applications for remote working arrangements. Employees can forward a dispute to the WRC if they believe an employer has failed to fulfil their obligations under the code. Since its introduction, the WRC has received 60 complaints, with only one upheld. Minister of State for Small Business Retail and Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, emphasised the importance of this consultation, saying: "This is an important opportunity to hear directly from members of the public, employers and other stakeholders." Submissions are open until 9 December.

Judge says Tesla lawsuit cannot proceed as a class action

A California judge has said that more than 6,000 Black workers at Tesla's flagship assembly plant In Fremont cannot sue over alleged racial harassment as a class. The ruling by California Superior Court Judge Peter Borkon reverses an earlier decision. Borkon said the 2017 lawsuit could not move forward as a class action because many of the 200 workers who were chosen at random to testify ahead of a trial scheduled for next year were unwilling to do so. “Either together with other victims, or separately, these courageous Black workers will overcome Tesla’s endless delays and continue fighting to hold the company accountable,” Lawrence Organ, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said.

India plans major HR overhaul

The Indian government plans to improve human resource standards in the services sector to align with global practices. The planned initiative aims to enhance worker mobility amid ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. A study will evaluate hiring and training methods across industries to boost competitiveness and service quality. Experts noted that HR reforms are crucial for India's trade strategy, enabling negotiators to secure better mobility commitments and improved market access. "HR reforms are central to India's trade strategy," said an anonymous source familiar with the discussions.

Kela director apologises over worker comments

Lasse Lehtonen, the Director General of the Social Insurance Institution (Kela), the government agency that provides basic economic security for everyone living in Finland, has apologised for comments that offended staff. In an interview with Helsingin Sanomat, Lehtonen suggested that it is a job seekers' market, and Kela has "no particular need to retain its staff until the very last minute." During an ensuing board meeting, he acknowledged that his remarks about the job market and staff retention were inappropriate. "My comments have not shown the respect that the professionals working at Kela deserve, and for that I apologise," a statement from Lehtonen read. He noted that the agency will continue to discuss the matter with its employees.
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OTHER

Parents unite against Sats tests for special needs

Actress Anna Maxwell Martin, alongside 22 parent organisations, has warned that primary school Sats tests are causing "devastating effects" on children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, the group argues that the current system harms children's confidence, engagement, and mental health. Only 24% of SEND pupils met expected standards in 2025. The campaign calls for a more inclusive approach that recognises individual needs, and criticises the tests for narrowing the curriculum and promoting "teaching to the test." Polling of parents found two-thirds reported negative impacts on attendance and half reported lasting damage to self-esteem.
 
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