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UK Edition
12th September 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Tax plans put 100,000 retail jobs at risk, BRC says

Hundreds of large UK retailers could face closure under government plans to introduce a higher business rates band for properties valued above £500,000, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned. The group said around 400 supermarkets and department stores are at risk, threatening 100,000 jobs and £100m in lost local revenue. The BRC argued these stores already pay a disproportionate share of rates and face mounting cost pressures. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: "After years of rising costs, far too many stores have disappeared - leaving behind empty shells that once thrived at the heart of our communities. Four hundred more large stores could disappear if the Government forces them into its new higher tax band."
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WORKFORCE

Scottish universities face strike action

Staff at Robert Gordon University (RGU) and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) are striking over compulsory redundancies. The EIS union claims the universities are cutting hundreds of jobs. RGU announced 188 redundancies recently. EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: "Both universities have failed to provide a no compulsory redundancy guarantee." Meanwhile, UCU members at the University of Edinburgh are also striking over budget cuts affecting 1,800 jobs. Both universities maintain they are committed to avoiding compulsory redundancies. Meanwhile, staff at the University of the Highlands and Islands are being balloted for strike action over job losses and compulsory redundancies.

UK graduates' literacy skills stagnate

New data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's Education at a Glance report reveals that university graduates in England possess literacy skills comparable to Finnish high school graduates. The report indicates that English adults with degrees scored an average of 289 points in literacy, unchanged since 2012. In contrast, Finland saw a 15-point increase in literacy scores during the same period.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Girls' sports participation linked to career success

Research commissioned by Sky shows that girls who play after-school sport are 50% more likely to secure top jobs later in life, with benefits comparable to a university degree. Yet, girls aged 11–18 play 1.4 hours less sport each week than boys, with 340,000 missing out due to cost and a lack of facilities. Barriers include boys’ priority access to pitches, fewer opportunities in team sports, and lingering gender inequality. The report highlights that sport builds resilience, confidence, and adaptability, making women better equipped for leadership roles and stress management.
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CYBERSECURITY

M&S tech chief leaves after cyber attack

Rachel Higham, the chief digital and technology officer at Marks & Spencer, is leaving the company following a significant cyber attack in April. The attack, which was attributed to the group Scattered Spider, severely disrupted M&S's online operations, costing the retailer hundreds of millions of pounds. An internal memo said that Higham is "stepping back from her role." The company expressed gratitude for her leadership during a challenging period. M&S has indicated it will not seek a replacement for her position.

JLR admits data loss after cyber attack

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has confirmed that some data may have been taken in a recent cyber attack. The company, owned by Tata Motors, initially believed no customer information was compromised. However, it now acknowledges that data has been impacted, though it has not specified whose data was affected. Production at JLR's UK plants has been suspended, with around 1,000 vehicles a day not being produced. JLR said: "Our forensic investigation continues at pace."
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TECHNOLOGY

Firms risk exposure as AI investment surges

The financial services sector is investing heavily in artificial intelligence, but many firms lack adequate safety measures. According to a report by EY, 26% of firms have limited or no controls to ensure compliance with regulations. Preetham Peddanagari, EY's UK financial services tech consulting leader, warned: "Without robust oversight and governance frameworks, the sector risks leaving itself and its customers exposed to significant threats." Despite these concerns, over half of firms plan to increase their AI investments in the coming year, with the banking industry alone expected to invest £1.8bn by 2030.
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TAX

Tax cuts era officially over, warns OECD

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has declared the end of the tax cuts era. Rising debts and increased spending on climate change, ageing populations, and defence have prompted the shift. The OECD's report on tax reforms highlights that jurisdictions across all income levels are now seeking to increase revenues. "High levels of debt, coupled with spending needs . . . has meant that jurisdictions . . . have adopted strategies to mobilise more revenues," the OECD said.
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ECONOMY

Pensions raid not off the table

Torsten Bell, the pensions minister, has not dismissed the possibility of pension cuts in the upcoming Budget. He described last year's tax increases as "difficult but fair choices" that were necessary to address the economic "doom loop." While he refrained from commenting on specific Budget plans, he acknowledged the need for more funding for public services. Bell, who recently took charge of Budget preparations for Rachel Reeves, has previously advocated for reforms, including reducing the tax-free lump sum.
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INTERNATIONAL

Spain's shorter work week bill is scuttled in parliament

Opposition lawmakers in Spain's lower house have united with regional business-friendly Catalan party Junts against a bill that would have shortened the work week by 2-1/2 hours, preventing it from reaching the floor for debate. The legislation had been championed by Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz and the country's main trade unions. Diaz nevertheless said she would reintroduce the measure lowering the cap on weekly work hours to 37-1/2 from the current 40. She described Junts' veto as "incomprehensible." The bill's opponents had argued that smaller employers would be unable to shoulder the higher cost burden deriving from the policy, leading to job losses.

US worker confidence in finding a new job at record low

Polling results published Monday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New Yok show that American workers' confidence in finding a new job if they lose their current position is at a record low. The perceived probability of finding a new job in the next three months dropped by 5.8 percentage points to 44.9%, the lowest score since the Fed started surveying households on the subject in 2013. The increase in pessimism was seen across all age, education, and income groups, the New York Fed said. The share of consumers saying their financial situations were worse than a year ago rose, as did the share of those expecting a worsening in the future. Expectations for future access to credit deteriorated while perceived chances of missing a minimum debt payment in the next three months rose.

Deloitte US tightens office attendance rules for staff in India

Deloitte US has instructed its staff in India to work in the office at least two days a week, effective from October 1. The change follows the company's shift from flexible work policies established during the pandemic. Non-compliance will be monitored and will potentially impact performance reviews. A spokesperson for Deloitte said: "We are committed to fostering collaboration and productivity through in-person interactions."
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OTHER

Unicef: more children are obese than underweight

For the first time, there are more children in the world who are obese than underweight, according to a major study by Unicef, which warns that ultra-processed food is overwhelming childhood diets. The United Nations agency said there are 188m teenagers and school-age children with obesity, affecting health and development, and bringing a risk of life-threatening diseases. While 9.2% of five to 19-year-olds worldwide are underweight, 9.4% are considered obese, the report found. In 2000, nearly 13% were underweight and just 3% were obese. Obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions of the world, except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The highest rates of obesity among children and young people are found in some of the Pacific Island states, including Niue (38%), the Cook Islands (37%), and Nauru (33%). But many high-income countries also face a serious obesity problem. Among 5-19 year olds, 27% are obese in Chile, 21% in the United States, and 21% in the UAE. UNICEF is urging governments to take binding measures, including advertising restrictions, taxes on sugary drinks and unhealthy foods, and policies that encourage production of fresh produce.
 
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