Spring Statement 2025: Workers’ rights bill ‘net negative’ for economy, OBR says Politics The government’s workers’ rights bill will “probably [have] net negative economic impacts”, the independent fiscal watchdog has said. Labour unveiled their workers’ rights package – the Employment Rights Bill – last year, and measures were hailed by unions as “common sense” reforms for a “fairer economy”. But according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), [...]
Welfare reforms: What are the politics of Labour’s benefits changes? Politics Over the past few weeks, it’s been hard to avoid reports of the government preparing the ground for a string of changes to the UK’s welfare system. Call it kite flying, pitch rolling, or testing the waters, when work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall got to her feet in the House of Commons on Tuesday, [...]
Adzuna falls into the red amid hiring slump Business Jobs website Adzuna has fallen into the red as its sales were slashed by a third after battling a “turbulent” economy and a fall in hiring activity. The London-headquartered business has reported a pre-tax loss of £276,797 for the 12 months to 30 June, 2024, after it achieved a pre-tax profit of £1.5m in the [...]
Ministers must get a grip of broken benefits system, Reeves insists March 15, 2025 Rachel Reeves has doubled down on the need to reform the welfare system, insisting the government must “get a grip” on it amid concerns from Labour MPs about the impact of expected cuts to the budget. The benefits system is “broken” and is “not working for anyone”, the Chancellor said. Backbench Labour MPs have made [...]
Labour’s Employment Rights Bill is ignoring the voice of business March 11, 2025 Labour's Employment Rights Bill will stop businesses taking chances on those who need them most, writes Michael Lorimer.
UK insolvency rules are trapping firms between Scylla and Charybdis March 7, 2025 Outdated insolvency rules such as TUPE are disincentivising rescues of UK companies in irony worthy of the Greeks, writes Stephen Phillips.
The Debate: Should companies publish salaries on job ads? February 26, 2025 Is salary transparency an obvious help for jobseekers, or are there hidden downsides? Our writers to hash it out in this week’s Debate.
Labour minister insists fears over workers’ rights bill ‘misplaced’ February 14, 2025 Concerns over the move to day one rights under the government’s workers rights bill represent “misplaced fear”, a Labour minister has insisted in the face of criticism from employers. Justin Madders, employment minister, told City AM firms recognise the benefits of “giving people more certainty at work” as he argued the package of workers rights [...]
‘Doing a day’s work seen as stressful’ by youth, Liz Kendall says February 7, 2025 The UK must avoid a situation where “doing a day’s work is in itself seen as stressful” by young people, Liz Kendall has warned. The work and pensions secretary has told ITV: “There is genuinely a problem with many young people, particularly the Covid generation, but we can’t have a situation where doing a day’s [...]
Aldi to create 1,600 new jobs and expand as supermarket rivals cut February 4, 2025 Discount grocer Aldi is set to create 1,600 new roles this year as it expands its store presence in the UK, while its rivals slash jobs. The announcement stands in marked contrast to news of 3,000 jobs cuts at Sainsbury’s, and small reductions in staff numbers at Tesco’s and Morrisons. All three supermarkets have attributed [...]