Human Times

UK Edition

3rd April 2026

THE HOT STORY

M&S calls for action on high street disorder

Marks & Spencer has warned that rising levels of shoplifting and violence are putting staff and the public at risk, with retail director Thinus Keeve calling for stronger policing and greater transparency on crime. Writing in the Telegraph, Keeve said incidents had become "more brazen, more organised and more aggressive," citing recent attacks on staff and disorder involving large groups of youths in London. The retailer has written to both the Mayor of London and the Home Secretary, arguing that current responses are insufficient to deter repeat offenders. Meanwhile, Sadiq Khan has warned against any recurrence of the "utterly unacceptable" disorder seen in Clapham earlier this week, stressing that those who intimidate or attack shop workers will face the full force of the law.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

CEOs stressed by senior teams

According to a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study, chief executives of firms with revenues exceeding $5bn (£3.8bn) are most stressed about their leadership teams, particularly chief financial officers. The business leaders said their c-suite teams were the element of work they stress about most, with this ranking above meeting board expectations and sentiment among their wider staff. Fewer than half of CEOs said they were 'concerned' or 'very concerned' about employee morale. The study also saw more than 70% of CEOs report clinical stress levels, with many struggling to balance immediate issues with long-term strategy. Reflecting on the findings, Judith Wallenstein, managing director at BCG, said: "There is tremendous awareness among CEOs that they rise and fall depending on their ability to align their top team behind a shared goal."

City AM

B&Q boss lands 70% pay hike

Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q and Screwfix, has awarded chief executive Thierry Garnier a 70% pay increase, handing him £3.9m for the year to the end of January. This is up from £2.3m the year before. The CEO's package included £1.1m in salary and benefits and £2.5m in bonuses. The payout means Mr Garnier has been paid a total of £19.4m since he took on the job in September 2019. Andrew Speke, interim director of the High Pay Centre, said the scale of Mr Garnier's pay rise is "extraordinary, especially compared with what ordinary workers can reasonably expect."

Daily Mail

WORKFORCE

Stroke care crisis: Patients left behind

The 2025 Stroke Physiotherapy Workforce Survey revealed significant workforce shortages in stroke rehabilitation across 159 NHS services in the UK. Experts from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology (ACPIN) warned that stroke survivors are "failed every day" due to inadequate staffing. Ash James, CSP director, said: "Despite record numbers of registered physiotherapists, stroke services are chronically understaffed." The report highlighted that community stroke services are operating with 26% fewer physiotherapists than recommended, severely limiting patient recovery prospects.

London Evening Standard

The Guardian

The Independent UK

NHS staff boycott Palantir’s data platform over ethical concerns

NHS staff are refusing to work on Palantir’s health data platform over ethical concerns about the controversial US technology company, which was awarded a £330m contract in 2023.

Financial Times

Reform UK to pay for triple lock with 'biggest cuts' to welfare

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said that despite previously expressing criticism over the state pension triple lock, the party will retain it - with the retention of the policy to be funded by "the biggest cuts to the benefits bill ever seen in the history of this country", including cuts to out-of-work benefits, benefits paid to non-British citizens, and pensions for new public sector workers. The party's Treasury spokesperson, Robert Jenrick, said the party would review the "long-term sustainability" of public sector defined benefit pension schemes, saying they "represent the Government's second-largest financial liability".

WORKPLACE

Landlords hope AI boom will benefit offices

New artificial intelligence companies are expanding in London, boosting demand for office space and contributing to one of the strongest leasing markets in years. While some analysts warn AI could disrupt London's office market, the overall outlook is largely positive, with many expecting innovation to drive growth rather than decline. Prime offices in top locations are thriving, with very low vacancy rates and sharply rising rents as businesses compete for high-quality space. Industry leaders believe AI will create new jobs and industries, increasing productivity and expanding the economy over time.

The Times

TAX

AI-exposed sectors are key tax contributors

The UK sectors most vulnerable to AI are also key contributors to tax revenue, according to a government assessment. AI is primarily applicable to data processing and cognitive tasks, prevalent in finance and professional services. The Office for National Statistics reports that 9% of service firms use AI, compared to lower rates in production and construction. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology found 97% of employers face AI-related skills gaps. The report notes that AI will both displace and create jobs, with projections suggesting 12% of the workforce could be involved in AI roles by 2035.

City AM

Ultra-wealthy consider relocating amid tax instability

Tax instability is driving many of the UK's wealthiest individuals to contemplate leaving the country. According to research from BDO, two-thirds of the ultra-wealthy are considering relocation, with the "relentless cycle of policy change" cited as the biggest factor. Nearly 50% of respondents cited the need for certainty in tax policies as a primary reason for considering a move, nearly double the proportion who said they were looking abroad for minimal taxation. Elsa Littlewood, a tax partner at BDO, said: "In recent years, the wealthy have had to face constant changes to tax rules and our research identifies this instability is wearing people down," adding that changes to inheritance tax and hints of further changes to Capital Gains Tax were the "final straw" for many. The UK saw a net outflow of 16,500 millionaires last year, equating to £68.1bn in investable wealth.

City AM

Super-rich may be hiding $3.55tn offshore, Oxfam warns

Oxfam estimates that the world’s wealthiest individuals may have concealed up to $3.55tn from tax authorities through offshore holdings, despite increased transparency measures introduced in recent years. The charity said total offshore wealth reached $13.25tn in 2023, with the majority of hidden assets likely held by the richest 0.1% of households, and it renewed calls for a global wealth tax and stronger international cooperation to close tax loopholes and improve reporting standards.

The Guardian

STRATEGY

Big Four challenges could see more job cuts

City AM looks at KPMG's plans to cut around 600 jobs in the UK, including 440 assistant manager roles in its audit business and 120 in advisory, saying the move reflects broader challenges faced by the Big Four firms, including a stagnant economy and increased AI investment. It is noted that the Big Four made 900 roles redundant in 2024, while 1,800 jobs were cut in 2023. Looking at the challenges faced by the leading audit firms, James Ransome, head of consulting at Patrick Morgan, says: "There's a demand slowdown, but also structural pressure: fee compression (especially in audit/ compliance), AI reducing delivery effort, and a shift toward outcome-based pricing. That's putting sustained pressure on margins."

City AM

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Unlocking potential: Autistic women at work

Autistic women often mask their true selves in corporate environments, which can hinder their talents. Experts argue that embracing neurodiversity can enhance productivity by up to 30%. Currently, only one in three autistic individuals in the UK is employed. Mahlia Amatina, author of Dear Manager: How to Support Your Autistic Employees, emphasised the need for companies to adapt their cultures and processes to support neurodivergent staff. A 2022 study revealed that while 99% of FTSE 100 firms have inclusive statements, only 4% have neurodiversity initiatives.

The Times

INTERNATIONAL

Supreme Court doubtful over Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship challenge

A majority of Supreme Court justices appeared sceptical of the Trump administration’s attempt to end automatic citizenship for those born in the country, in oral arguments ahead of a ruling that is expected by early July. The case, which tests what it means to be an American, could affect an estimated 250,000 children born to undocumented immigrants and temporary visitors each year. The administration says Trump's order, which would restrict birthright citizenship to babies with at least one parent who is a US citizen or green-card holder, would not apply retroactively, but Democrats say it would also strip millions of current Americans of their citizenship, as well as their ability to vote and obtain passports. Chief Justice John Roberts dismissed contentions by President Donald Trump’s top Supreme Court lawyer, Solicitor General D. John Sauer, that the US faced a “new world” in which so-called birth tourism was undermining the historic understanding of the nation. “Well, it’s a new world,” Roberts said. “It’s the same Constitution.”

Apple calls in PwC to resolve Australian payroll blunder

Apple's Australian subsidiary has engaged PwC to investigate a significant internal technology error affecting thousands of employees' pay and leave entitlements. The $US3.7 trillion company must reimburse hundreds of former employees and provide additional leave to current staff due to a mistake in its human resources systems, which incorrectly counted public holidays as leave days. "We are committed to rectifying this issue," a spokesperson said.

Financial Review

Court orders Air Malta to pay former HR chief €65,000 in unpaid bonuses

Air Malta has been ordered to pay €65,000 in unpaid performance bonuses to its former Chief Human Resources Officer, James Genovese. The ruling came after the airline ceased operations on 30 March 2024. Judge Audrey Demicoli said: "The contractual bonus clauses created binding obligations." Despite Air Malta's claims that the bonuses were discretionary and unenforceable due to a lack of formal policies, the court upheld Genovese's entitlement. The amount awarded includes 8% annual interest and legal costs, although Genovese initially claimed €103,407.

Independent

Indian trade unions observe 'Black Day' against Labour Codes

Workers across India on Wednesday observed a ‘Black Day’ to protest against the Union Government’s four controversial Labour Codes. Workers wore black badges and headbands, saying that the new legislation would push the workforce back into a colonial-era state of exploitation. The demonstrations were helmed by a united front of major unions, including the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). “These labour codes are designed to push the workforce into conditions akin to slavery. They contravene the spirit of the Indian Constitution, International Labour Standards, and basic human rights,” the joint platform of ten central trade unions stated.

The Pioneer

The Times of India

Tribune India

OTHER

2026 World Cup risks becoming ‘stage for repression’

Amnesty International has raised concerns that the upcoming World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico may become a "stage for repression." In its report, called "Humanity Must Win", the organisation urged FIFA and the host nations to take immediate action to safeguard the rights of fans and players. Amnesty highlighted the US's "human rights emergency" under the Trump administration, citing issues including mass deportations and aggressive ICE operations. Steve Cockburn, Amnesty's head of economic and social justice, said: "While FIFA generates record revenues from the 2026 World Cup, fans, communities, players, journalists and workers cannot be made to pay the price . . . It is these people - not governments, sponsors or FIFA - to whom football belongs, and their rights must be at the centre of the tournament."

France 24

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