Human Times

UK Edition

12th November 2025

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THE HOT STORY

Lloyds criticised over employee data use

The Times and BBC News pick up on yesterday's report in the Financial Times that Lloyds Banking Group accessed information from the personal bank accounts of more than 30,000 employees. The UK's biggest lender compared staff spending habits to those of the wider public to assess their financial resilience as part of pay negotiations. The Affinity union, which represents Lloyds' employees but is not recognised by the group, said it was concerned, although Lloyds stressed "aggregated, anonymised data" had been used "in order to ensure compliance with regulations and to reflect common practice of using data to underpin decision-making." Jon Baines, a senior data protection specialist at law firm Mishcon de Reya, has called for the information commissioner to look into the exercise.

BBC News

The Times

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WORKFORCE

Unemployment hits highest level since 2021

Unemployment in the UK has risen to 5% for the first time since during the pandemic, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). September's unemployment rate marks an increase from the 4.8% recorded in August and is the highest level since early 2021. Pantheon Macroeconomics says analysts had predicted a rate of 4.9%. Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said the figures indicate a "weakening labour market" as the Budget approaches. Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK, said: "Hiring activity remains weak and survey evidence suggests that additional uncertainty from the Budget is keeping a lid on activity, as employers await the details of any fiscal measures." Work and Pension Secretary Pat McFadden acknowledged that "there are challenges in the labour market" but insisted the economy "is still generating jobs." The ONS data also shows that average wage growth was 4.6% in the third quarter, down from 4.7% over the three months to August. The rate of private sector wage growth stood at 4.2% compared to 6.6% for the public sector.

More than 4m UC claimants not required to seek work

New government figures reveal that the number of Universal Credit (UC) claimants who are not expected to seek work has risen by more than 1m since last year, topping 4m for the first time. The total number of UC claimants rose from 7.2m to 8.3m over the year, figures show, while 48.7% of claimants are now in the no work requirements category, up from 40.4% last year and 36.3% in 2023. The Department for Work and Pensions argues that the number of UC claimants "has been increasing as we have invited tens of thousands of people each month to move from legacy benefits as they become phased out."

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Middle classes increase apprenticeship uptake

A report by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) reveals that middle-class students dominate degree apprenticeship programmes. Degree apprenticeships combine university-level study with paid, work-based training, leading to a a degree-level qualification without having to pay tuition fees. In 2022/23, only 10.7% of degree apprentices were identified as disadvantaged, compared to 19.4% of all undergraduates. The EPI recommends targeted maintenance grants and outreach efforts to improve access for underprivileged youngsters.

The Times

HIRING

‘People like dealing with people’: Reed boss on the challenge of AI in hiring

James Reed, the chief executive of UK recruitment agency Reed, tells the Financial Times that artificial intelligence offers new tools for recruiters but threatens the overall market for labour.

Financial Times

LEADERSHIP

ICAS appoints first female CEO

Gail Boag has been appointed as chief executive of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), making her the first female to take the role in the organisation's 172-year history. Boag, who is currently the executive director for learning and market development, will succeed Bruce Cartwright on January 1.

The Scotsman

ECONOMY

Growth expectations stall

The UK economy is projected to grow by only 0.2% in the third quarter of 2025, according to a Bloomberg poll of economists. This marks a significant slowdown from the 1% growth seen in the first half of the year. Analysts attribute the projected decline to uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Budget. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to raise £30bn in taxes. Deutsche Bank's Sanjay Raja noted that government spending could provide some support, while HSBC's Emma Wilks expressed cautious optimism about stabilisation, saying that "the bar is low for good news on the UK economy."

City AM

INTERNATIONAL

Activists slam proposed changes to landmark EU privacy law

Activists have criticised proposed changes to Europe's landmark privacy law. EU antitrust chief Henna Virkkunen will present the Digital Omnibus, in effect a package of proposals to simplify overlapping legislation including the General Data Protection Regulation, the Artificial Intelligence Act, the e-Privacy Directive and the Data Act, on November 19. Austrian privacy group noyb commented: "The draft Digital Omnibus proposes countless changes to many different articles of the GDPR. In combination this amounts to a death by a thousand cuts." Max Schrems of noyb said: "This would be a massive downgrading of Europeans' privacy 10 years after the GDPR was adopted."

Reuters

Starbucks CEO urged to restart union negotiations

A group of 26 US senators and 82 House representatives have written to Starbucks chief executive Brian Niccol, calling for the company to resume negotiations with Starbucks Workers United, which said last week that its members are prepared to strike if a contract is not finalised by November 13th, the chain's "Red Cup Day." House representatives, led by the House Labor Caucus and Representative Pramila Jayapal, penned a similar missive. The letters also said Starbucks “has the money to reach a fair agreement,” noting that in 2024 Starbucks spent several billion dollars on dividends and stock buybacks. Starbucks said in a statement the union represents only 4% of its workforce and that the company already offers “the best job in retail.”

Reuters

China rolls out its version of the H-1B visa

Writing for AP News, Chan Ho-Him considers the K-visa, which was launched by China last month as part of the country’s widening effort to catch up with the U.S. in the race for global talent. “[The] K-visa for China [is] an equivalent to the H-1B for the U.S.,” observes Vaishnavi Srinivasagopalan, a skilled Indian IT professional who has worked in both India and the U.S., and who has been looking for work in China. “It is a good option for people like me to work abroad.” The launch of the K-visa coincides with uncertainties over the U.S.'s H-1B program under tightened immigrations policies implemented by President Donald Trump.

AP News

Cambodian workers' stay in Thailand denied

The Interior Ministry of Thailand has rejected a resolution from the previous cabinet that would have allowed Cambodian workers to temporarily overstay in the country. The decision follows a cabinet meeting led by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai which aimed to address labour shortages after many Cambodians returned home due to border clashes. According to Government House spokesperson Ms Trisulee, allowing unverified workers to remain could threaten national security and lead to illegal migration issues. Before the clashes, over 520,000 Cambodians were employed in Thailand, but only about 100,000 remain now.

Bangkok Post

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