Workers’ rights laws couldn’t come at a worse time for businesses Economics The government’s Employment Rights agenda is becoming a reality, and the timing could scarcely be worse. As the first provisions of the Employment Rights Act come into force, Britain’s economic outlook is darkening rapidly. Growth is faltering under the weight of an energy shock, inflation is stirring again and businesses are staring down a period [...]
The gender pay gap will take 30 years to close, report says Personal Finance The gender pay gap will take another three decades to close if the current rate of progress is maintained, a new report has found. Despite efforts to speed up the rate of achieving equal pay, it will not be achieved until 2056 unless more is done, according to analysis from the Trades Union Congress (TUC). [...]
Labour’s biggest union backer eyes party split Politics Labour’s biggest union backer is considering a significant vote to split from the party in another blow to Starmer’s leadership. Senior officials at the UK’s largest trade union Unite are in talks about whether to call an emergency conference to vote on formal disaffiliation from the Labour party, according to reports from The Telegraph. Sources [...]
Labour’s assault on jobs will undermine growth November 4, 2025 Rachel Reeves is engaged in a complicated dance with the Office for Budget Responsibility in the run up to her second Budget. When the fiscal watchdog presents its scorecard on the Chancellor’s plans – and on wider government policies – the music will stop and we’ll see whether Reeves pulls off a surprising lift, or [...]
Tube strikes: With union ingratitude on full display, will Labour finally change course? September 9, 2025 As Tube strikes bring London to a halt, Labour must realise its pushover relations with trade unions have been to no avail, writes Paul Ormerod.
British business risks being ‘sleepwalked into disaster’ by workers’ rights bill June 22, 2025 British businesses risk “being sleepwalked into disaster” by ministers’ attempts to change workers’ rights rules, the Conservatives have warned. In an open letter to business leaders across the UK, Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said he was “genuinely concerned” over the impact of Angela Rayner’s Employment Rights Bill on the economy. The bill, which is [...]
The government is facing a wave of summer strikes – how will it respond? April 17, 2025 Public sector strike action is always tricky territory for Labour politicians to navigate, particularly when the party is in opposition. When strikes plagued the previous Tory government (teachers and junior doctors in particular) Labour MPs – including Keir Starmer – were quick to condemn the government while trying hard not to criticise the unions, with [...]
Harrods: Christmas strikes set for crisis-hit department store December 10, 2024 Harrods, the crisis-hit iconic London department store, is braced for another blow as hundreds of workers voted to strike over the critical Christmas period. Employees represented by the United Voices of the World (UVW) union will walk out from 8pm on Friday, 20 December, to Sunday, 22 December, and again from 12am on Boxing Day [...]
Enough with the hysteria, NHS pay rises make us all richer August 22, 2024 NHS pay rises have sparked apocalyptic headlines, but a better public sector makes us all richer, writes Sam Fowles.
Long-term sickness now top reason for women being out of work May 13, 2024 Long-term sickness has become the main reason for women being out of work, according to research by one trade union.