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UK Edition
26th November 2025
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THE HOT STORY

Minimum wage to increase in April

The government has announced an increase in the minimum wage that will see 2.7m people receive a pay rise in April. The hourly rate for over-21s will rise to £12.71, while 18- to 20-year-olds will see their rate increase to £10.85, and under-18s and apprentices will earn £8 an hour. While the government says these changes balance worker needs with what businesses can afford, some employers warn that repeated above-inflation rises could lead to hiring freezes, reduced investment, or higher prices for customers. Jane Gratton, deputy director of public policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "There's a limit to how much additional cost employers can bear without something having to give."
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WORKFORCE

EBRD warns how aging populations will challenge growth

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's semiannual report warns that aging populations have already begun to hinder economic growth in certain countries - some of which need to act now to keep slowing population growth from wreaking havoc on their long-term economic prospects. "Already today, demography is eroding growth in living standards, and it is going to be a headwind for GDP growth in the future," EBRD Chief Economist Beata Javorcik told Reuters. She also observed that post-communist nations "are getting old before getting rich." The report noted that migration at a level needed to counteract falling birth rates is not politically palatable in most places.
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LEGAL

Tesco under fire for staff suspension

Tesco has come under fire from pro-Palestine activists after suspending a worker who refused to handle Israeli products. The boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement has called for the retailer to reverse its decision, saying the worker now "faces disciplinary action for having a conscience." A petition with over 1,700 signatures demands that Tesco withdraw the threat against the anonymous staff member. The incident follows protests outside Tesco stores, as campaigners express solidarity with workers who refuse to handle Israeli goods.
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WORKPLACE

Reeves urged to simplify employee share incentive plans

Major companies are urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to simplify employee share incentive plans. Over 50 firms have called for the mandatory holding period to be reduced from five years to two. They argue that the change could encourage more employees to invest in their companies. Introduced in 2000, employee share incentive plans allow employees to benefit from tax relief on their shares and gives them a stake in the success of the company. MP Kirsteen Sullivan said: "With the government's ambitious agenda to support staff, back British business and encourage share investment, modernising employee share ownership plans has an essential role to play." 
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STRATEGY

HP to cut up to 6,000 jobs by 2028

Computer and printer maker HP expects to cut between 4,000 and 6,000 jobs - up to 10% of its total globally - by fiscal 2028 as part of a plan to streamline operations and adopt artificial intelligence to accelerate product development, improve customer satisfaction and boost productivity. “We really think this is a unique opportunity we cannot miss to really continue to transform the company and continue to be competitive for the next 10, 20 years,” chief executive Enrique Lores said. HP said it also expects to increase investment in some areas to integrate AI further into its product portfolio. “I think any work is going to be impacted by AI, and we need to take advantage of it as a company,” Lores observed.

Apple cuts jobs across sales team

Apple has cut dozens of jobs within its sales organisation as part of a restructuring effort aimed at streamlining how it sells to businesses, schools, and government agencies. Employees were informed over recent weeks, though Apple didn’t disclose the exact number of roles eliminated. The cuts affected account managers, briefing centre staff, and even longtime employees, including members of a government-focused team, and followed smaller layoffs in Australia and New Zealand. While Apple publicly framed the move as eliminating overlapping responsibilities, some workers believe the company is shifting more sales activity to third-party resellers to reduce internal costs.
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SUSTAINABILITY

Kitemark scheme to introduce third-party audits

B Lab will implement third-party audits for B Corp accreditation in an effort to enhance the credibility of companies' sustainability claims and combat greenwashing. The accreditation, held by 2,600 UK companies, expects firms to meet high standards in areas such as labour relations, climate and human rights. As of February, a third-party "assurance provider" will be assigned to companies attempting to gain the certification. Chris Turner, chief executive of B Lab UK, said: "By introducing third-party verification and enhanced auditing requirements throughout a company’s journey as a B Corp, we’re raising the bar so that being a B Corp remains a model to inspire progress towards a more inclusive, regenerative and equitable economy." 
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INTERNATIONAL

Australia's ‘world first’ minimum pay deal for food delivery drivers

In a deal that has been described as a “world first”, Australia's two largest food delivery services, DoorDash and Uber Eats, are partnering with the Transport Workers’ Union to set new minimum standards for delivery drivers, including a minimum hourly wage and accident insurance for injuries sustained on the job. Under the terms of a draft agreement released on Tuesday, their workers would earn at least A$31.30 ($20.19) per hour, an increase of about 25% for some couriers who are paid per delivery and not for how long they have worked. The deal would put them level with the minimum wage earned by Australian casual workers.

Korea cracks down on labour violations at worksites employing foreign nationals

Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labour identified significant labour rights violations during inspections of 182 high-risk workplaces employing foreign workers. A total of 846 violations were identified, including wage theft amounting to 1.7bn won ($1.16m) at 123 businesses. Officials noted that some employers exploited workers' noncitizen status, denying them equal benefits. Labour Minister Kim Young-hoon said: "There cannot be any distinction between Korean and foreign workers when it comes to protecting basic labour rights." The ministry said it plans to enhance monitoring and improve conditions for foreign workers.

Unions slam new labour codes rollout in India

Ten major Indian trade unions have condemned the government's new labour codes, calling them a “deceptive fraud” against workers. They have demanded the withdrawal of the laws ahead of planned nationwide protests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government claims the codes simplify work rules and enhance worker protections. However, unions argue that the changes allow easier hiring and firing, raising concerns about job security. The Association of Indian Entrepreneurs warned that the new rules could increase costs for small businesses.

ABN Amro to axe 5,200 jobs

Dutch lender ABN Amro plans to reduce its workforce by 5,200 full-time positions by 2028 as part of a new financial strategy aimed at improving profitability. CEO Marguerite Bérard said: "I understand that changes to our cost base, especially reducing FTEs, bring uncertainty for our colleagues. We are fully committed to supporting everyone affected." The bank aims to achieve half of the cuts through attrition, with the remainder being layoffs. ABN Amro has already eliminated over 1,000 jobs this year.
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OTHER

Lockdowns linked to child development

The largest study to date, from the University of Edinburgh, suggests that COVID-19 lockdowns significantly impacted child development. Researchers analysed data from 258,000 children aged 13–30 months, finding a 6.6% increase in developmental issues during lockdowns. Dr Iain Hardie, a researcher from the University of Edinburgh, noted that reduced social interaction and limited access to early learning settings likely contributed to this rise. The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, indicates that developmental concerns remained elevated even after restrictions ended in August 2021.
 
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