Cundall strengthens global growth with head of DEI appointment
Based in Manchester, Bryant's appointment reflects the firm's commitment to expanding inclusivity strategies.
Latest
Early 50s workers face losing nearly £18,000 if state pension age rises sooner – Rathbones
If the change is brought forward so people have to wait until 68 between 2039 and 2041, workers aged 51, 52 and 53 could lose a year’s worth of state pension.
Affordable housing is top asset class for DC pension investors – L&G
Out of over 4,400 savers surveyed, 97% said affordable housing was an important social issue.
A quarter of workers doubt they will ever be financially independent – Scottish Widows
37% did not feel confident they could cover unexpected emergencies, while 33% said they had no disposable income left each month.
Half of pension savers prioritise guaranteed income over flexibility, research reveals
The survey looked at people aged 40 to 75 and found that 46% said guaranteed income was the most important thing for their pension to provide.
British Business Bank hits £2.5bn milestone under Growth Guarantee Scheme
The Growth Guarantee Scheme has reached £2.5bn in lending, with nearly 70% of funding delivered outside London and the South East.
Peter Vardy launches global tech and investment group focused on mobility and fintech
Peter Vardy has launched a new venture, Peter Vardy Global, focused on automotive SaaS, mobility innovation and fintech investment.
Compensation & Benefits
Payrolls drop by 0.5% as unemployment rises to 5.1% – ONS
Employment rate for people aged 16 to 64 was estimated at 75.1% from September to November 2025.
GRiD urges employers to use benefits to support staff New Year’s resolutions
The industry body for the group risk sector said many employees lose motivation by mid-January, which can affect mental health.
Recruitment & HR
73% of hiring managers say skills shortages hold back entry-level appointments – CV Genius
30% valued portfolio projects as a signal of employability, compared to 16% for internships and 19% for part-time jobs.
One in four workers apply for jobs that don’t exist, finds Employment Hero
A quarter (24%) of UK workers said they had applied for a ‘ghost job’ - a role advertised but not actually being recruited for.
Lifeways launches recruitment drive to attract diverse candidates
The campaign, called You’re Not Just Anyone, highlights the work of frontline teams supporting more than 4,000 people across the UK.
FMB calls for clarity on Scottish construction sector after Budget statement
Gordon Nelson, director at FMB Scotland, said: “With a shortfall of 100,000 homes and ambitious net zero targets, we urgently need to boost our building industry."
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Greater Essex Connect to Work programme mobilised with three new providers
The providers confirmed are Shaw Trust, Essex Cares Limited (ECL) and Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).
Government unveils £200m SEND teacher training programme
The new courses will be made available to all teaching staff to improve their knowledge in adapting lessons for a range of needs.
New and expectant parents face high levels of unfair treatment at work, TUC warns
More than one in seven women (14%) who have children or are expecting a child have lost their job, or felt forced to leave their role.
Government overhauls Disability Confident scheme to boost workplace standards
The Government said changes will provide more tailored support for SMEs and boost peer-to-peer support for employers.
Technology
University of Manchester gives all students and staff access to Microsoft 365 Copilot
The aim is to give all students workplace-ready skills, support teaching and research, and close the digital divide with access to advanced AI tools.
Corpay warns UK CFOs face ‘automation deficit’ as manual finance processes persist
UK finance leaders are struggling to turn automation ambition into reality, with integration issues and fragmented systems holding back efficiency and real-time visibility, according to new research from Corpay.
Parents back teaching staff to lead AI decisions in schools, unions say
The polling from the TUC revealed that 80% of parents with a child in school or college trust educators to make decisions about AI in their children’s learning.
Health & Wellbeing
Three UK and Samaritans call for ‘Tea Leave’ wellbeing breaks for British workers
Research found 35% of British workers rarely left the office during the day, and 49% said only a loo break pulled them away from their desk.
Half of workers have taken extended sick leave, finds The Exeter
The report found that absences were most common among men, with 49% saying they had taken extended time off, and 18% of those in the past year.
Employee engagement holds steady at 79% despite workload concerns, report finds
People Insight's report on Employee Experience Trends 2026 found that one in five employees reported feeling lonely at work.
Managers reluctant to discuss mental health in the workplace, finds Unum UK
Of the SMEs surveyed, 45% said mental health was a key reason for staff absence.
Employee Relations
Majority of professionals call for ‘microshifting’ to boost flexibility – Robert Walters
Research found interest in microshifting has grown as only 35% of UK workers believed their company’s flexible working policy was fit for purpose.
High stress and lack of support drives workers into sick leave, report finds
The latest Burnout Report from Mental Health UK found one in five (20%) workers took sick leave due to poor mental health caused by stress.
Employers must embrace flexible careers to retain Gen Z talent, says expert
Lucy Kemp said lily padding is the future of work and warned that employers who do not adapt risk losing talent.
Amazon UK and ABB among 100 organisations named as 2026 Top Employers in the UK
Lidl GB, ScottishPower, Bentley Motors, Mitie, Primark and McLaren Racing were among the 100 organisations named as 2025 Top Employers in the UK.
Global HR
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.
Morgan Lewis appoints London Labour and employment team partner
Katherine Gibson brings extensive experience in employment litigation, transactional support, business protection matters, and workplace data privacy.
Majority of European workers plan to move jobs in 2026, research reveals
According to MyPerfectCV, 37% of workers wanted to reduce stress, while 34% said they are focused on achieving a better work–life balance.