Unite calls on Government to ensure NHS pay stays above minimum wage
The union said the current lack of a pay deal meant the lowest paid NHS workers needed an emergency pay rise just to stay above the legal minimum.
Latest
94% of learners say personalisation is important in training, research finds
Research from Insights Learning and Development with the ATD found 94% of learners said personalisation is important and 64% saying it is extremely important.
TISA urges FCA to ensure consistent pension transfer rules
TISA urged the FCA to work with the DWP to make sure proposed pension transfer changes are consistent and tested with consumers before final rules are set.
Aegon UK urges FCA to delay new DC pension consolidation rules until 2030
In its response to the FCA consultation CP25/39, Aegon UK said the proposed changes should wait until wider Government pension consolidation work is rolled out.
WTW forecasts UK pension risk transfer market to hit £70bn in 2026
The bulk annuity market is predicted to top £50bn, driven by bigger deals and steady pricing.
Unite launches apprenticeship charter to set minimum standards for pay and conditions
The charter covers pay, employment rights, fair treatment, training and development, health and safety, progression, representation and apprentice responsibilities.
SafeHR appoints Matthew Rouse as managing director
Rouse will oversee operational and commercial strategy across SafeHR and SafeWorkforce.
Compensation & Benefits
Benifex partners with Carrot to expand fertility and hormonal health benefits
The partnership adds Carrot to its Marketplace, expanding options for employers wanting to support family-building and hormonal health.
E.ON signs pledge to offer paid fertility leave and support at work
The Fertility Support Pledge encourages employers to give clear, consistent support and to address the stigma faced by staff going through fertility treatment.
Recruitment & HR
Busy Bees to recruit over 500 apprentices to support early years workforce
The move aims to support the Government’s early years workforce plans and meet rising demand for childcare staff.
UK Space Agency launches new internship programme to tackle sector skills gap
The programme gives hands-on experience and exposure to industry, helping students start their careers in space.
Government set to lower train driver age to 18 to address workforce shortages
The change is set to open up new career paths for young people, with a quarter of all train drivers expected to reach retirement age by 2030.
Chemical sector faces more factory closures as jobs and sales drop, data finds
The latest survey from the Chemical Industries Association showed that jobs fell in the last three months of 2025, with 38% of companies reporting fewer employees.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Business Disability Forum calls for clarity on Access to Work scheme
Angela Matthews said: “We need clear direction from the Government to end this uncertainty and for rules around Access to Work to be clarified and applied fairly.”
35% of workers with regional accents feel judged at work, finds Zurich UK
31% said they felt they needed to change or soften their accent in the office to sound more professional.
Royal Borough of Greenwich accredited as Carer-Inclusive Workplace
The accreditation came from Greenwich Carers Centre in recognition of the council’s new carers’ leave guidance.
Government, tech giants and charities meet to break down barriers at work
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “We must harness the power of technology to open more opportunities for disabled people to work."
Technology
62% of employees say AI improves productivity in the workplace – Zellis
62% of leaders said they were confident their organisation’s senior leaders knew how to use AI effectively, compared to 45% of employees.
West Midlands SMEs set to boost digital skills through university partnership
The University of Wolverhampton, Birmingham City University and Coventry University will run an event focused on digital adoption, cyber resilience and leadership skills for local small and medium-sized businesses.
Omnicore and Pension Lab partner to offer digital LoA to Simplybiz and threesixty firms
The deal will give advice firms across Simplybiz and threesixty access to Pension Lab’s digital LoA platform through Omnicore’s connected services.
Health & Wellbeing
Health Shield Wellbeing and My Menopause Centre partner to offer menopause support
The new support is optional and gives employees access to evidence-based menopause care as part of their existing health checks.
HSENI launches advertising initiative to address work-related deaths in Northern Ireland
The TV and multimedia campaign is part of the ongoing workplace health campaign, which focuses on raising awareness of health risks at work and the need for controls.
TransUnion UK employees raise £40,000 for Andy’s Man Club
Kaushik Gopalan said: “We are proud that so many of our UK colleagues have come together to support a charity that is close to many of our hearts."
21% of workers miss out on annual leave due to workplace pressure, research finds
The study from Timetastic showed 21% failed to use all their holiday, even though 89% said time off improved their mental health.
Employee Relations
Just one in four doctors at Manx Care would recommend it as a place to work, survey finds
More than 60% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that the organisation listens to staff views.
NatWest to expand Financial Foundations programme to support 50,000 people
The programme is expected to reach around 1,000 people a week in their workplace or community group throughout 2026.
Millennials account for most payrolled job losses – CV-Library
The 25-34 age group made up 76% of the drop in payrolled jobs over the past year.
53% of UK workers remain in jobs they don’t enjoy, research finds
Aegon’s Money:Mindshift found 54% of workers believe a dream job is realistic and 58% said achieving it was important, but only 12% said they had reached it.
Global HR
CISI launches jobs board to boost global financial services careers
The platform features real-time job postings, smart search and filtering tools, and career guidance from CISI experts.
Deel sets Guinness World Records™ title with global virtual hiring event
Deel has set a new Guinness World Records™ title for the 'Largest online hiring event' after attracting 6,848 attendees to a live virtual recruitment event.
Pearson and Deloitte partner to deliver AI-powered workforce training
The partnership will use both companies’ experience to deliver AI learning, leadership development and training solutions.
Retention and productivity top benefits of health support for overseas workers – Everywhen
32% of employers said retention rates were the main reason for offering health and wellbeing support, with 31% choosing productivity as the biggest advantage.