Hays reports 12% drop in net fees but remains focused on long-term structural improvements
Hays Group reported a 12% drop in group net fees year-on-year for Q2 FY25, with perm fees declining by 19% and temp fees by 7%.
UK’s largest AI data centre planned for Essex, creating 750 jobs
Construction of what is set to become the UK’s largest artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in Loughton, Essex, could generate up to 750 jobs, BBC reports. The project, led by Nscale, involves a £2bn investment, with the facility expected to open by 2026. The data centre, to be located on Langston Road, will be the first of its kind in Essex. Nscale said 500 jobs would be created during construction, with a further 250 roles required to manage operations at the four-acre, 50MW site. The announcement aligns with the government’s broader ambition to establish the UK as a global leader
UK must bolster economic transformation to sustain global leadership in future skills
The QS World Future Skills Index places the UK as a global leader in workforce readiness, excelling in skills fit and academic readiness, but highlights economic stagnation and the need for sustained investment in innovation as significant challenges.
£4bn Malaysian investment to create 30,000 UK jobs
Malaysian-owned YTL has announced a £4bn investment in the UK over the next five years, focusing on transforming the greater Bristol area with 6,500 homes, schools, and a 19,500-capacity arena, creating over 30,000 jobs nationwide.
UK commits £4.5bn military boost to Ukraine, supporting jobs and security
The UK has announced a £4.5bn military support package for Ukraine in 2025, including artillery barrel production in Yorkshire and a new UK-Denmark air defence system, boosting defence industry jobs and capabilities.
BP announces 4,700 job cuts as part of cost-saving drive
BP has confirmed plans to cut 4,700 jobs globally, alongside 3,000 contractor positions, as part of its efforts to reduce costs by $2bn by the end of 2026.
Micky Adriaansens appointed chair of Nyenrode Business University
Micky Adriaansens, former Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate, has been appointed chair of Nyenrode Business University, effective 1st February 2025.
Organisations prioritise payroll technology over human expertise but seek balance
Over half of payroll leaders now value technology over human expertise, but new research from CloudPay highlights the need for a balanced approach to achieve efficiency and compliance.
Frankfurt School’s real estate programmes gain RICS accreditation
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management’s Master in Real Estate and Executive Diploma in Real Estate Economics programmes have received prestigious Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accreditation, enhancing global career prospects for students.
Millions in England face challenges accessing dental care, with working-age population most affected
New analysis from Broadstone reveals that 5.9% of England’s working-age population haven’t seen an NHS dentist in over two years, and 4.9 million people of working age do not have a dentist at all.
NASUWT launches industrial action ballot over sixth form college pay dispute
NASUWT has opened an industrial action ballot for members working in sixth form colleges, citing an inequitable pay offer for 2024/25. The Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA) proposed a conditional 5.5% pay award for academies, with non-academised colleges only receiving the full amount in April 2025.
Visa applications to work and study in the UK fall by 42% after migration restrictions
The number of visa applications to work and study in the UK fell by nearly 400,000 following government restrictions aimed at cutting legal migration by 300,000 annually, according to provisional Home Office data.
