Small firms slash jobs on fears of employment rights bill January 6, 2025 An alarming number of businesses have become increasingly concerned about the future of the UK’s workforce under the new Labour government’s employment reforms. A fresh survey of 1,270 small employers by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed over 90 per cent are worried about the implications of the Employment Rights Bill. A majority [...]
‘Losing faith’: Just one in four bosses has confidence in government December 2, 2024 Just one in four bosses has confidence in the government to deliver economic growth, in a sign firms are “losing faith” in ministers’ strategy. A London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) snap poll found 81 per cent of business leaders said they were not confident the government will address firms’ concerns. While 77 per [...]
Labour’s tax on business will cost young workers the most November 27, 2024 Labour's bid to improve workers' rights will end up costing the young and inexperienced the most, writes Elliot Keck.
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 [...]
Demand for flexible jobs soars as workers seek remote roles November 12, 2024 Searches for jobs with flexible working surged by 132 per cent between July and September this year, according to new figures. Based on 22,000 job searches analysed by flexible work specialist Flexa, the data also shows that 60 per cent more flexible job adverts were posted in the same period compared to the previous quarter. [...]
Workers’ rights package is ‘overdue and welcome’, says Ella’s Kitchen founder November 5, 2024 The government’s workers’ rights overhaul contains positive measures that will allow financially sustainable businesses to flourish, one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs has said, calling for proper consultation with businesses on changes to the probation period. Paul Lindley OBE, the founder of the UK’s largest baby food brand Ella’s Kitchen and a pioneer of the [...]
Workers will bear the brunt of tax rises, OBR says October 31, 2024 Workers will end up shouldering the majority of the government’s national insurance hike, the fiscal watchdog said, as Rachel Reeves admitted that pay growth will suffer due to her tax plans. The Chancellor announced tax rises worth £40bn yesterday, making it the biggest tax-raising fiscal event since 1993. Changes to employers’ national insurance made up [...]
Workers’ rights reform set to slap British businesses with £5bn bill October 21, 2024 British businesses are set to be imposed with a £5bn additional cost annually as a result of the new workers' rights, with smaller businesses in hospitality and retail set to hit the hardest
Making work pay is good for growth October 17, 2024 Don’t listen to populist outcry over the Employment Rights Bill, all the evidence shows protecting workers from exploitation is good for the economy, says Sam Fowles Labour workers’ rights reforms have prompted predictable howls of outrage. The Employment Rights Bill, apparently, “injects fear” into business and will “damage British competitiveness”. Ironically, the most hysterical wails [...]
Workers’ rights: Business secretary defends ‘rushed job’ bill October 10, 2024 The business secretary has defended the government’s plan to overhaul workers’ rights after a lobby group branded it a “rushed job, chaotic and poorly planned”.