BSI and The Bedford College Group partner to tackle skills gap with industry training
The deal means students and clients working with the college will be able to take part in training designed to improve their skills and job prospects.
Latest
NASUWT welcomes call for paid miscarriage leave ahead of 24 weeks
NASUWT welcomes MPs’ support for statutory paid leave for miscarriage, urging the Government to back amendments to the Employment Rights Bill.
Meta staff in UK raise concerns over job cuts and programme reductions
UK Meta staff express concern over cuts to factchecking and diversity programmes, as trade union Prospect warns against following Twitter's path.
Birmingham students introduced to farming innovation at NEC show
Birmingham students explored the high-tech world of modern agriculture at the LAMMA show, gaining insights into farming careers and cutting-edge technology.
Currys warns hiring will slow amid £32m cost hike from Budget measures
Currys has warned it will limit hiring due to rising wage costs following April's Budget measures, which are expected to increase operating expenses by £32m.
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%.
Job postings in the UK return to pre-pandemic levels, reports REC
The latest REC and Lightcast Labour Market Tracker reveals that active job postings in December 2024 returned to pre-pandemic levels at 1.41 million.
Compensation & Benefits
Weavr teams up with Visa to bring flexible employee benefits cards to SaaS HR platforms
By working with Visa an associate member, Weavr will now allow SaaS companies to use Visa-powered financial products in their platforms.
Resident doctors announce strike action in England
Resident doctors will be on strike from 7am on 25th July to 7am on 30th July.
Recruitment & HR
LGB employees face hostility for ‘wrong’ views at work, research reveals
The survey found over a third of respondents (35%) experienced social exclusion or hostility from colleagues or management due to their beliefs.
C-suite leaders face critical skills gap ahead of 2035, says Robert Half
Robert Half warns UK firms are unprepared for future leadership demands, with resilience, innovation and AI expertise set to define success.
Candidate availability rises at fastest pace since 2020 as hiring demand softens
UK recruitment activity slowed again in May, with permanent hiring down and candidate supply rising sharply, according to the latest KPMG and REC report.
Ministers commit £2.5bn to futureproof UK auto industry through DRIVE35
The UK Government has unveiled DRIVE35, a £2.5bn initiative backing the transition to zero-emission vehicle production and advanced automotive R&D.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Ministers urged to expand pay gap reporting to cover ethnicity and disability
Nick Henderson-Mayo said: “Extending pay gap reporting to ethnicity and disability could bring the same clarity and more money into people’s pay packets.”
Anti-stigma training for social care workers rolled out across Northern Ireland
Newcastle City Council commissioned Northumbria University to develop a ‘train the trainer’ course aimed at helping public health workers better understand stigma and its effects.
Stonewall launches ‘Proud Employers’ programme to boost LGBTQ+ inclusion at work
Simon Blake OBE said: “Proud Employers will support workplaces in LGBTQ+ inclusion and enable them to demonstrate their commitment.”
Government launches £100m boost to help thousands with disabilities into work
The funding is part of the Government’s broader “Get Britain Working” initiative, which aims to overhaul the employment support system, modernise Jobcentres, and ensure well-paid job opportunities are available across the country.
Technology
Lloyds Banking Group launches Data & AI Summer School
The initiative aims to build skills in data and AI among staff, with over 250 sessions planned and thousands of colleagues expected to take part.
Robert Walters launches ‘AI Readiness’ service to help HR teams
The service gives HR teams practical advice, frameworks and support to use AI responsibly and ethically.
Mediazoo launches ConvX to help managers improve team engagement
The tool is designed to help staff improve communication by practising real-life conversations in areas such as team coaching, performance management and sales.
Health & Wellbeing
Competitive workplaces drive impostor syndrome, research finds
The study from by the University of Exeter found that organisations themselves play a part in causing imposter feelings among staff.
Q Branch Consulting secures NHS mental health contract
Jenny Jarvis said: “We were really happy to be chosen to work with the NHS and use our brand and human transformation expertise on something that is so important."
71% of employers want clearer information on workplace rehab support – Aviva
79% of employees said they were more likely to stay with an employer who supported them during recovery.
Accord and YBS colleagues set £35,000 fundraising target for FareShare
The aim is to raise over £35,000 towards a £1m fundraising target that will help fund the Building Skills for the Future programme.
Employee Relations
Over a million workers quit jobs due to lack of flexibility – CIPD
Research found that just over half of employees (53%) felt pressure to spend more time in the workplace.
Government launches Post Office Green Paper to consult on future reform
The Government has published its first major review of the Post Office in 15 years, seeking views from postmasters and the public on future reforms.
Asda distribution managers to vote on union recognition following CAC ruling
More than 1,000 Asda distribution managers across 23 UK sites will vote on union recognition after the CAC approved a GMB ballot.
Staff and students rally to defend jobs at Working Men’s College
The protest took place outside a governors’ meeting, with union members demanding the college halt plans to cut 19 staff roles just weeks before the new academic year.
Global HR
British Safety Council celebrates winners of International Safety Awards 2025
The awards recognised 789 organisations from 45 countries for their efforts in preventing workplace injuries and work-related ill health in 2024.
Government targets global experts with £54m fund to fill UK skills gap
The Global Talent Taskforce is set up to focus on bringing in researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, managers, engineers and creatives.
Deputy appoints Ciaran Hale as chief technology officer
Hale will work with the product, data and platform teams to strengthen technology foundations and develop solutions for shift-based businesses.
infinitSpace to open second Berlin workspace in partnership with PATRIZIA
Flexible workspace provider infinitSpace is expanding in Berlin with a second site, opening in August 2025, in collaboration with global real asset manager PATRIZIA.