UK unemployment rises to 4.8% as job vacancies continue to decline
The UK unemployment rate rose to 4.8% in the three months to August, according to the latest ONS figures, with vacancies and employment levels both showing modest declines.
Latest
EE staff pledge record 45,000 volunteer hours to support UK communities
Staff have pledged to help with projects such as educating students, parents and teachers on online safety.
Ciphr Payroll wins Software Product of the Year at CIPP Awards
The platform was also shortlisted for Software Innovation Product of the Year.
BPEC invests £15,000 to modernise Scotland’s Plumbing and Heating Apprenticeship
The apprenticeship combines on-site work and training across plumbing and heating including water, gas and low-carbon technology.
TPT to launch run-on superfund option for DB pension schemes
TPT has secured capital to fund the first £1bn of transactions and is seeking assessment from TPR for the new consolidation vehicle.
HowNow co-founder Nelson Sivalingam named ‘One to Watch’ in LDC Most Ambitious Business Leaders 2025
Nelson Sivalingam, co-founder and CEO of AI learning company HowNow, has been recognised as a ‘One to Watch’ in the LDC Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme for 2025, celebrating innovative UK entrepreneurs.
Thousands with health conditions to get work support as advisers join GP surgeries – DWP
Over 40,000 more sick and disabled people are set to receive employment support following a £167.2m investment in the Connect to Work programme.
Compensation & Benefits
Mothers face £120,000 earnings loss over a decade, ONS data reveals
According to the ONS, women experience an estimated £65,618 loss in earnings over the five years after their first child, with further reductions of £26,317 after a second and £32,456 following a third.
Carrow Insurance launches accident and health cover for UK employers
The specialist MGA introduced products for corporate personal accident and business travel, group personal accident, and tailored corporate illness benefits.
Recruitment & HR
Most creative industry jobs go to friends and connections – Bectu
The findings showed 75% of workers got jobs through friends or contacts, rising to 82% in film, TV drama and fashion.
September sees strongest employment growth in 13 months – Employment Hero
The figures showed total employment was up 2.6% in September, the highest monthly rise in over a year.
Sainsbury’s and Argos to recruit 19,000 seasonal staff for Christmas
There are 17,000 jobs available at Sainsbury’s and 2,000 at Argos.
London financial services jobs rise 9% year-on-year, says Morgan McKinley
Job vacancies in London’s financial services sector increased 9% year-on-year in Q3 2025, with FinTech driving growth, according to Morgan McKinley’s latest London Employment Monitor.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Brighton & Hove and West Sussex councils secure funding to support people into work
Emma Daniel said: “Everyone deserves the chance to thrive in work, and I am really pleased to see that in-work support is provided as part of this programme."
Compass Group UK & Ireland supports over 500,000 people through social mobility programme
Building on this, Compass has launched ‘Mission to a million: Forward Together’, aiming to support a million people by 2030.
Sizewell C funds Suffolk scheme to boost youth career chances
The scheme, Beyond Boundaries, aims to get young people ready for apprenticeships, further education, and jobs.
Devon County Council launches ‘Brighter Futures’ plan to support young people
The plan focuses on young people, those with special educational needs and disabilities, and others struggling to find their way into training or work.
Technology
Most workers use unapproved AI tools at work, research reveals
Employees said they used consumer AI assistants to draft and reply to work communications, prepare reports and presentations, and do finance tasks.
QA integrates Microsoft Copilot AI training into all apprenticeships
Every apprentice will now get Copilot training tailored to their area, including digital learning, live webinars and practical sessions.
QA and NVIDIA partner to scale AI skills across the UK
QA will use NVIDIA’s technology and training to support AI skills and workforce development.
Health & Wellbeing
CIH president launches campaign to boost resilience among housing professionals
The campaign will run throughout Julie Haydon's year in office and aims to help housing professionals build a resilient mindset.
Just Mortgages marks four years of broker mental health support with new resources
Just Mortgages has rolled out a new podcast and regular updates on Facebook and monthly articles on wellbeing, financial issues and the cost of living.
Financial worries and burnout driving employee ill health, finds PAM Group
The Health at Work Report 2025 highlights rising financial and mental health pressures among UK employees, with three quarters reporting money worries and most struggling with fatigue or burnout.
Howden urges employers to tackle mental health as work absences hit 15-year high
Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing has urged UK employers to adopt a more proactive approach to employee mental health, as workplace absence reaches its highest level in over 15 years.
Employee Relations
One in five employees secretly hold jobs with competitors, finds Cifas
Nearly a quarter (24%) said they believed this behaviour was justifiable.
Data scientist revealed as UK’s highest paid tech job – Go Deploy
Network engineer followed at £58,651, and penetration tester at £57,782.
BSI warns of AI-driven decline in entry-level jobs as businesses prioritise automation over skills investment
Research by BSI reveals that nearly half of global business leaders are using AI to cut headcount, with entry-level roles most at risk and SMEs expected to play a key role in future skills development.
88% of businesses concerned about impact of long-term sickness – MetLife UK
A similar number (86%) also expressed concern about short-term sick leave.
Global HR
Most businesses now allow employees to work abroad – Grant Thornton UK
The survey found 77% of mid-market firms had a policy for international remote working in 2025, up from 59% in 2023.
TMF Group launches payroll platform to streamline HR administration
TMF Optix uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide intelligent analytics, global reporting, AI-powered dashboards and optimised data management.
MAN Truck & Bus partners with TUM Venture Labs to boost mobility innovation
MAN Truck & Bus has formed a strategic partnership with TUM Venture Labs to strengthen collaboration with deep tech start-ups and advance mobility innovation.
Linklaters appoints Lynne Burns as CPO
Burns will lead the people function globally from London and work closely with Aedamar Comiskey and Paul Lewis.