Human Times

UK Edition

12th January 2026

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THE HOT STORY

Job market faces uncertainty as demand drops

The UK's jobs market showed a decline in December, with both permanent and temporary positions falling. The KPMG and Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) survey indicated a four-month low in permanent placements and a rise in worker availability. Neil Carberry, REC chief executive, noted that business confidence must improve for hiring to recover. The unemployment rate reached 5.1% in Q4, the highest in four years, with predictions of it rising to 5.5%. Jon Holt, group chief executive of KPMG, said: "The jobs market is still signalling caution . . . [bosses] who have been prioritising increased investment in tech to improve resilience and productivity will be looking for signs of greater confidence in the wider economy before turning the hiring taps back on."

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LEGAL

Starmer hails parental leave changes

The Prime Minister has announced significant reforms to parental leave as part of Labour's workers' rights package. Starting from an employee's first day, unpaid parental leave will be available, benefiting 1.5m parents, along with the right to statutory sick pay. Additionally, bereaved partners will gain up to 52 weeks of paternity leave if they lose their partner before their child's first birthday. Sir Keir Starmer said: "The changes we're bringing in will mean every new parent can properly take time off when they have a child, and no one is forced to work while ill just to make ends meet." The reforms are part of the Employment Rights Act, which received Royal Assent in December.

The Independent UK

Google employee made redundant ‘for reporting sexual harassment’

Senior Google employee Victoria Woodall claims she was made redundant after she blew the whistle on a manager who had apparently told a female client about being a swinger and showed another an intimate picture of his wife. Woodall told an employment tribunal she was subjected to a campaign of retaliation by the company after whistleblowing on the man who was later sacked. Google denies retaliation against Woodall and argues she became "paranoid" after whistleblowing and began to view normal business activities as "sinister." Woodall says her boss subjected her to a "relentless campaign of retaliation."

The Times

BBC News

CORPORATE

Business got tougher in 2025, WEF survey says

A World Economic Forum survey says companies found it more difficult to do business in 2025 amid a deterioration in global cooperation on issues including trade, climate, technology and security. Nearly four in ten of the 799 executives in 81 economies indicated growing barriers to trade, talent and cross-border capital flows had made it harder to do business. Only 10% of respondents took the opposite point of view. "Undeniably, a series of U.S. tariff announcements in 2025 raised questions about the future of trade," said the WEF in its Global Cooperation Barometer 2026 report, nevertheless observing that the fact that six out of ten executives did not highlight trade problems indicated that many had found ways to readjust.

Reuters

World Economic Forum

WORKFORCE

Russell & Bromley faces closure

The 150-year-old footwear retailer Russell & Bromley faces potential break-up under a proposed takeover involving Next and Retail Realisation, putting about 450 jobs at risk. Next is expected to buy only the brand and intellectual property, while Retail Realisation would oversee the closure of the chain’s remaining 37 stores and a clearance of stock. Without the brand rights, the stores could not continue trading under the Russell & Bromley name. Retail Realisation is linked to Modella Capital, which has become prominent in recent high-street restructurings, including WH Smith’s former stores and recent collapses at The Original Factory Shop and Claire’s.

The Sunday Telegraph

Sunday Mirror

TAX

Tax hikes loom as migration plummets

Experts warn that Chancellor Rachel Reeves may need to raise taxes due to a potential tax shortfall caused by declining migration numbers. Predictions suggest net migration could fall to zero or even negative by year-end, significantly impacting revenue. Charlie McCurdy from the Resolution Foundation said: "If predictions that net migration to the UK turns negative by next Christmas . . . there would be serious consequences for the public finances." The drop in net migration is thought to be caused by a reduction in visas granted for skilled workers, combined with a surge in people emigrating.

The Times

NHS trust faces tax scandal over doctors

An investigation by the British Medical Journal reveals that one of Britain's largest NHS trusts, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB), employed doctors from Pakistan as "international training fellows" without tax contributions. The doctors were paid through a third-party organisation headquartered at a suburban address, leaving them open to exploitation. A KPMG review of the £40.5m programme found UHB lacked oversight of payments to the doctors. Kiran Patel, UHB's chief medical officer, acknowledged mistakes but said there was "no suggestion, or findings, of impropriety or fraud by any trust employee." UHB is now "resetting" its international training fellowship programmes. KPMG also found UHB had failed to carry out pre-employment checks on the fellows.

The Daily Telegraph

Daily Mail

TECHNOLOGY

Law firm empowers juniors with AI

Law firm Ropes & Gray is allowing junior lawyers to spend 20% of their billable time on "hands-on AI exploration." The initiative aims to equip newly qualified and trainee solicitors with skills in testing AI tools and developing best practices. The firm will provide specialist training and mentorship from AI-savvy partners. Jane Rogers, a partner at Ropes & Gray, said the scheme will expand to the firm's European offices.

City AM

The Times

INTERNATIONAL

DOJ civil rights chief uses social media to identify anti-DEI targets

Bloomberg Law reports that Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the US Civil Rights Division, is using social media to single out anti-DEI targets, including Knoxville Symphony Orchestra CEO Rachel Ford following a series of viral X posts by a musician alleging he was denied a role at the orchestra due to DEI initiatives. “Rachel, we have questions,” Dhillon wrote in a post she shared which listed Ford's email and phone number. “Suggesting a violation of the law has occurred - through social media or press - before a full investigation risks vilifying the target before all the facts are known,” and “undermines the credibility of the department,” said Regan Rush, former chief of the division’s special litigation section.

Bloomberg Law

Cathay Pacific cuts some jobs in efficiency push

Cathay Pacific Airways is seeking to identify savings and efficiencies as it prepares for a slower rate of growth this year. The airline is targeting savings of about 5% on non-operational staff, and there will be a limited number of job cuts for Hong Kong and overseas staff. The airline also said it has plans to hire 3,000 people this year. Cathay spokesman Andy Wong said the carrier is “dedicated to continuously assessing and refining our operations and organisation to ensure optimal delivery of our long-term strategic goals.”

Bloomberg

Brussels plans special rule book for corporates outside national law

Brussels is pressing ahead with plans for a supranational legal regime for EU companies. Critics fear creating businesses with a special rule book outside national law will dilute worker rights.

Financial Times

OTHER

UN says the US has ‘legal obligation’ to fund agencies

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the United States has a “legal obligation” to keep paying its dues that fund UN agencies after the Trump administration said it will withdraw from dozens of international organisations operated by the world body, including the UN's population agency and the UN treaty that establishes international climate negotiations. “As we have consistently underscored, assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget and peacekeeping budget, as approved by the General Assembly, are a legal obligation under the UN Charter for all Member States, including the United States,” Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for Guterres, said in a statement.

AP News

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