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30th December 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Bleak year for retail as 170,000 jobs are lost
In 2024, the retail sector has witnessed a loss of nearly 170,000 jobs, the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic's aftermath in 2020. According to the Centre for Retail Research, 169,395 retail jobs were lost this year, marking a 41.9% increase from 2023. Major chains like Homebase and Ted Baker have collapsed, contributing to approximately 33% of these job losses. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research, said: "The problems of changed customer shopping habits, inflation, rising energy costs, rents and business rates have continued and forced many retailers to cut back even more strongly in 2024." Looking ahead, experts predict that 2025 could see even more job losses, potentially exceeding the pandemic peak, as rising costs and reduced business rate discounts take their toll on the sector. The British Retail Consortium has estimated that the retail sector will face a £2.3bn bill from April after the implementation of the increase in employer NICs from 13.8% to 15%, as well as the reduction in the earnings threshold at which they must start paying it from £9,100 to £5,000.
WORKFORCE
Rent woes plague local workforce
According to a YouGov poll for Shelter, nearly two-thirds of workers in private rented housing are struggling to pay their rent, with only 32% managing without difficulty. The report highlights that 4.45m people are affected, and 23% are constantly struggling. Businesses, unions, and charities are urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to allocate £11.5bn for building 90,000 new social rented homes annually to alleviate the crisis. The letter signed by leaders, including Polly Neate of Shelter, says: "The housing emergency the government inherited is only getting worse." Labour has pledged to build 1.5m homes during this parliament, but campaigners warn that without significant investment in social housing, this target will not be met. Reeves is expected to announce funding details in June.
Public sector jobs set to soar
According to a report by the Resolution Foundation, nearly one in five workers will be employed within the public sector by 2030, increasing from 16% in 2018 to 18.3%. This growth is primarily attributed to rising employment in health and social care, which now accounts for 37% of government jobs. The Resolution Foundation said a projected rise in public sector employment would be driven by the increased government spending and investment announced in October's Budget. Day-to-day public service spending is due to be 4.8% higher this year than last. 
REMOTE WORKING
ONS civil servants still working from home
Office for National Statistics (ONS) civil servants are still working from home despite concerns over a number of mistakes by the service, including errors with migration figures and the 2021 Census. Data shows that daily average attendance is as low as 5% in some offices, with attendance rates averaging less than 10% across other sites. The ONS says general “office attendance expectation” is for staff to come in 40% of the time. Prof Sir Ian Diamond, the UK’s chief statistician, has highlighted that the Public and Commercial Services Union had entered a formal dispute with the ONS in relation to the attendance expectations, taking “action short of strike in the form of non-compliance with the requirements.”
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Historic milestone for barristers' profession
Barbara Mills KC, born in Ghana, is set to make history as the first black leader of the Bar Council of England and Wales. She will take on the role on New Year's Day. One of only eight black female KCs, Mills has also served as a deputy High Court judge since January last year. Mills said: "I am honoured to take on this role and look forward to serving the Bar."
Female footballers face retirement struggle, Bronze says
England footballer Lucy Bronze has said that "99.9% of female players couldn't afford to retire" on their earnings. Speaking to Sky News, Bronze highlighted a stark gender contrast in salaries, revealing that while the average male Premier League player earns over £3m, female players in the Women's Super League average just £47,000 annually. Bronze, who says she has been prudent with her finances, acknowledged that most players would need to consider alternative careers post-football.
Women shouldn’t face a penalty for promoting themselves
The FT's Anji Raval writes about why many senior women would rather not put themselves in the public eye because they worry they will be criticised more severely than male counterparts.
LEGAL
Worker handed £30k compensation over trainers
Elizabeth Benassi, who was sacked after wearing trainers to work, has won almost £30,000 at an employment tribunal. Benassi successfully sued Maximus UK Services, which works for the Department of Work and Pensions, saying that she was “treated like a child” and arguing that other staff who wore similar footwear were not sanctioned.
STRATEGY
Airbus cuts jobs but stays put
Airbus has announced plans to cut over 150 jobs at its Portsmouth site as part of a restructuring effort, although it has confirmed that the site will remain operational. The company is facing challenges across Europe, leading to a total reduction of more than 2,000 jobs. Dave Black, site representative for the Unite union, expressed concern over the scale of the job losses, saying: "We need to ensure we maintain the existing expertise and profitability at the Portsmouth site." Airbus aims to adapt to a complex business environment while avoiding compulsory redundancies. Portsmouth City Council leader Steve Pitt has urged the company to reconsider its decisions, highlighting the potential impact on the local economy and supply chain.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
Labour pauses doctor apprenticeship scheme
The government has decided to pause the doctor apprenticeship scheme, which aimed to provide underprivileged students with a debt-free pathway to medical training. The decision has raised concerns about accessibility in the medical profession. According to The Telegraph, the scheme is now "paused in perpetuity," leaving many aspiring doctors uncertain about their future opportunities.
INTERNATIONAL
Workers at China's BYD site 'are victims of human trafficking'
Brazil's Labor Prosecutor's Office has said Chinese workers at a construction site in the eastern state of Bahia for a factory owned by China's electric vehicle producer BYD are victims of human trafficking. The statement from the Brazilian labor authority, which came after a meeting with representatives from BYD and contractor Jinjiang Group, fuels a growing controversy in BYD's biggest overseas market. Jinjiang has previously rejected an assessment by Brazilian authorities that the workers at the site were operating under "slavery-like conditions." China's foreign ministry has said that China protects workers' rights and requires Chinese companies to operate in compliance with local law.  Brazilian prosecutors are expected to meet again with the companies on January 7.
European airline employees voice their concerns about Middle East routes
The ongoing safety debate regarding flights over the Middle East has intensified in Europe, primarily due to the influence of pilots' unions. Nine unpublished letters from four European unions have expressed concerns about air safety, stating: "No one should be forced to work in such a hazardous environment." While some airlines like Lufthansa and KLM allow crew to opt out of unsafe routes, others, such as Wizz Air and Ryanair, do not. Mircea Constantin from the FPU Romania union observed: "Flights into these conflict areas . . . should be carried out by military personnel and aircraft, not by commercial crews." AirBaltic CEO Martin Gauss said his airline meets an international safety standard that doesn't require readjustment.  "If we start a right of refusal, then where do we stop? The next person feels unhappy overflying Iraqi airspace because there's tension there?" he said.
San Francisco hires ‘body positivity’ expert to work on reducing weight stigma
The San Francisco Department of Public Health has hired an “anti-weight-based discrimination” expert to consult on “weight stigma and weight neutrality.” Virgie Tovar, who is the the author of You Have the Right to Remain Fat, described the role as an “absolute dream come true,” saying “I’m unbelievably proud to serve the city I’ve called home for almost 20 years in this way!” She added: “It’s my biggest hope and belief that weight neutrality will be the future of public health.” So-called “weight neutrality” is an approach which focuses on a person’s overall health rather than their body weight.
OTHER
How we fell out of love with dating apps
The world’s biggest online dating companies are in crisis, as their target customers increasingly look elsewhere, towards niche apps or real-life meets — or even opt out of romantic relationships altogether.
 


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