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UK employees missed nearly ten days of work last year. The CIPD’s 2025 Health and wellbeing at work report finds sickness absence rising to its highest level in over a decade, with mental ill health and musculoskeletal issues among the leading causes.
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UK employers are tightening pay offers amid growing fiscal pressure. Median pay settlements fell to 3.0 per cent in the three months to July — the lowest since December 2021 — with just 9 per cent of employers awarding 4 per cent or more. Labour market cooling and tax concerns are driving caution ahead of…
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Peter Kyle launches dual-front trade push with Washington, then Beijing. New Business Secretary Peter Kyle has opened his tenure with back-to-back international trade missions, beginning with US tech talks and continuing in China for the UK’s first JETCO meeting since 2019 — a symbolic reset in Labour’s global economic strategy.
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Marks & Spencer urges government to rethink farm inheritance tax. The retailer warns of adverse impacts on rural communities and food security. It seeks support from the new environment secretary amid concerns over proposed changes to tax reliefs for farms.
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UK MPs urge prioritisation of delayed Audit Reform Bill. A cross-party group of 66 MPs and Lords has called on the Prime Minister to prioritise the Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill, citing its importance after recent corporate failures. The legislation has been stalled since being reintroduced.
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This week’s UK M&A spanned energy, finance, transport, and more. Consolidation, global investment, and IP expansion defined the landscape, from battery storage to wealth management. Together, the deals highlight the UK’s ongoing role as a hub for cross-border acquisitions.
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Economists urge Bank of England to slow quantitative tightening. Long-term borrowing costs have surged, raising concerns over the UK fiscal outlook and prompting calls for the Bank of England to reconsider its quantitative tightening strategy to avoid further market disruption.
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Train drivers at CrossCountry have voted to strike on 3 October. The row centres on alleged misuse of grievance and disciplinary procedures, with union leaders accusing management of repeated bad faith. A refusal to work overtime begins 21 September, with a full walkout planned.
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UK start-up loan demand rises as PG insurance uptake grows. A growing number of start-ups are securing finance with personal guarantee backed loans, as new data points to increased risk appetite and lender support among early-stage UK businesses.
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Most UK CEOs opt to stay away from Reform’s conference. Senior leaders cite reputational risk, while policy watchers attend. The contrast frames an emerging playbook in corporate-political strategy.