Business groups attack ‘deeply damaging’ employment reforms April 16, 2025 The UK’s five largest business groups have warned that the government’s flagship workers’ rights package will be “deeply damaging” to the UK’s growth prospects and will worsen living standards in the UK. In a co-ordinated effort, Britain’s ‘Big Five’ business groups have taken the unusual step of writing to all members of the House of [...]
British firms sticking to DEI policies despite Trump crackdown April 8, 2025 UK business leaders are not adjusting their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) despite many high profile American counterparts rowing back on their policies in the face of pressure from the Trump administration, a survey has found. According to a poll conducted by the Institute of Directors (IoD), more than seven in 10 (71 [...]
Business leaders ‘remain depressed’ as employment costs spiral April 1, 2025 Business leaders remain disheartened about their organisations and the wider UK economy amid an escalating global trade war and higher employment costs, according to a new survey of over 600 directors. Confidence among company directors collapsed after Labour took office last year. Now the Institute of Directors (IoD)’s latest update to its monthly survey suggests [...]
Overhaul of planning barriers to nuclear power, Starmer announces February 6, 2025 An overhaul of planning barriers to make it easier to build new nuclear power plants has been announced by Keir Starmer. The move will create thousands of highly skilled jobs, the government said, as the Prime Minister confirmed red tape would be “slashed” in a bid to fast-track approval of reactors. It is set to [...]
IoD: Business confidence remains ‘historically depressed’ February 1, 2025 The Institute of Director's (IoD) economic confidence index stood at -59, which was up slightly from -61 in December but still at a very weak ebb.
Businesses gloomy about state of economy before Budget tax rises January 3, 2025 Business leaders remain gloomy about the state of the economy entering the New Year, a new survey shows, as they anticipate the impact of the Budget’s tax increases. The Institute of Directors’ economic confidence index, which measures business sentiment about the economy, rose to -61 in December, up from -65 the month before but still [...]
Employers warn of workers’ rights reform and Budget double whammy November 26, 2024 Businesses are concerned about the aggregate cost of changes to workers’ rights and the cumulative impact of Budget measures, MPs have been told. The committee of MPs scrutinising the Labour government’s employment rights legislation took evidence from business groups, industry representatives and trade unions on Tuesday. And they were warned the combination of reforms to [...]
Business groups warn of jobs market slowdown following Budget November 12, 2024 Alexandra Hall-Chen, principal policy adviser for employment at the Institute for Directors (IoD) said the figures point to a "concerning trend" in the labour market.
Labour pulls back from ‘day one’ protections as it unveils workers’ rights overhaul October 10, 2024 Labour has pulled away from its pledge to give employees protection from unfair dismissal from the first day in a job, according to reports, as it unveils its long-awaited package of employment reforms today. The Employment Rights Bill, which Labour promised to introduce within its first 100 days, is set to be laid before Parliament [...]
Business confidence takes ‘large dive’ in September as budget fears intensify October 1, 2024 Optimism in the economic outlook fell to its lowest level since 2022.