Human Times
The latest business Intelligence for HR professionals and people managers everywhere
Sign UpOnline Version
Human Times Logo
UK Edition
10th September 2025
 
Industry Slice Icon Logo

THE HOT STORY

London Tube strike enters third day amid 'total collapse in industrial relations'

Industrial relations on London Underground have "totally collapsed," a union leader has said, amid a strike by Tube workers that has virtually shut down the network. It means travellers in London will continue to face disruption as thousands of members of the union take strike action over pay and working hours. Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Eddie Dempsey said the negotiations became fruitless after the union uncovered Transport for London (TfL) plans to shut Elizabeth line ticket offices - something TfL denies. He said further disputes loomed over those alleged proposals as well as pay and conditions for cleaners.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

WORKFORCE

University staff to vote on strike action

The University and College Union (UCU) is preparing to ballot 65,000 members across 138 UK universities on potential industrial action over a 1.4% pay offer. UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Employers now need to recognise that imposing a 1.4% pay award, when inflation is still soaring, is a significant real-terms pay cut.” The ballot is expected to open on October 20, with the possibility of coordinated strikes alongside other university staff unions in the new year. Meanwhile, staff at the University of Edinburgh have begun a five-day strike in response to proposed cuts of £140m from the university's budget. 
Industry Slice Icon Logo

STRATEGY

Anglo American to axe jobs in merger

Anglo American plans to cut hundreds of jobs in London and reduce its UK tax contributions following a $53bn (£39bn) merger with Teck Resources. The company will relocate its headquarters to Vancouver, impacting its London workforce of about 700. The merger is expected to result in further job losses globally, although the exact numbers remain uncertain. In 2024, Anglo contributed $2.6bn to the UK economy, including $446m in corporation taxes and royalties.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

ECONOMY

UK legal services thrive post-Brexit

The UK's legal services trade balance has increased significantly, rising from £4.8bn in 2020 to over £7.4bn last year, according to the Law Society. Legal exports surged by 44%, reaching £9.02bn. The primary markets include the EU and the US, valued at nearly £3bn and £2.6bn, respectively. Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society, commented: "London's world-leading commercial dispute courts . . . fuel the UK economy." However, he cautioned against complacency, urging the government to invest in court infrastructure to maintain the UK's global standing in legal services.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

TAX

Chancellor urged to relax 'side hustle' tax rules

The bosses of some of Britain’s best known online marketplaces have written to the Chancellor, calling on her to raise the UK’s trading allowance. In a letter to Rachel Reeves, executives from eBay, Vinted, Depop and Etsy called for the allowance to be increased from £1,000 to £3,000, arguing that this would encourage more people to start small-scale "side hustles" which would stimulate the economy.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

LEGAL

Trade unions oppose Supreme Court trans ruling

Delegates at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have voted unanimously in favour of a motion opposing the Supreme Court ruling that "sex" in equality law refers to biological sex. The motion argues that the April ruling went against the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), while interim guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) following the ruling was "flawed and inconsistent."

Gregg Wallace takes BBC to court

Gregg Wallace, the former MasterChef co-presenter, has initiated legal action against the BBC following his dismissal from the show. High Court filings reveal that Wallace was removed after an independent report upheld 45 allegations regarding his conduct. The BBC said it had not been formally notified of any proceedings. Wallace is reportedly seeking the release of "secret documents" and may pursue a disability claim. He previously claimed the producers ignored his autism diagnosis, saying: "Nothing was done to investigate my disability or protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment for over 20 years."

'Aryan' bar manager wins £17,000 for discrimination

Sky Sinclair, a bar manager at The Old Toll Bar in Glasgow, has been awarded nearly £17,000 after a tribunal found she was discriminated against and unfairly dismissed. Director Ahmed Magdy Soliman made inappropriate comments about her appearance, saying she looked "very Aryan" and suggesting she preferred white people. Sinclair said she felt uncomfortable and believed remarks about Germany implied she was associated with Nazi ideology. Employment judge Shona MacLean ruled that Sinclair had been unlawfully discriminated against and awarded her £2,000 for emotional distress and over £14,000 for unfair dismissal.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

INTERNATIONAL

Many South Korean workers 'sent to the US on questionable documents'

Many South Korean workers were sent to the US on questionable visas, precipitating their detention during the raid at Hyundai's Georgia plant, according to workers, officials and lawyers. Over 300 South Koreans were among 475 individuals arrested in what was the largest enforcement operation by the Department of Homeland Security. Workers were often sent on B-1 business traveler visas, which do not permit work. Park Tae-sung, vice chairman of the Korea Battery Industry Association, said: "It's extremely difficult to get an H-1B visa, which is needed for the battery engineers." The incident has raised concerns about US immigration policies and their impact on South Korean investments. South Korea's foreign minister is set to discuss visa reforms during his visit to Washington.

PwC's Tom Seymour deregistered over tax scandal

Tom Seymour, former chief of PwC Australia, has been deregistered by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) for failing to act on signs of unethical conduct within the firm. The TPB's report highlighted that Seymour allowed a culture of improper behaviour to flourish in the tax division. He denied awareness of any confidential information being shared and said: "I disagree with the TPB finding that I breached the Code of Conduct." The sanction is the most significant in the ongoing PwC tax leaks scandal, which has resulted in numerous departures.

KLM cancels 100 flights after strike announcement

KLM, the Dutch subsidiary of Air France KLM, is set to cancel 100 flights on Wednesday due to a two-hour strike by ground crew, impacting approximately 27,000 passengers. A spokesperson confirmed the cancellations, which follow ongoing labour disputes despite a recent agreement with some unions. The two unions not involved in the agreement are proceeding with strike action.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

OTHER

White working class 'most likely' to take term-time holidays

Analysis by the Daily Telegraph suggests that white working-class parents are most likely to be fined for taking their children on term-time holidays. Government data shows that eight of the ten local authorities issuing the highest number of fines have majority-white populations. Wakefield, which according to the 2021 census has a population which is 88.2% white, recorded the highest number of fines in 2023/24, with 7,757. Prof Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, said "the obvious reason" for the trend "is that holidays are more affordable during term time." Overall, a record 443,322 fines were issued for unauthorised term-time absences across England for the 2023/24 school year.
 
Industry SLice Logo

The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on X.
Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe