THE HOT STORY

Many UK business leaders are open to backing Nigel Farage at the next election

Many UK business leaders are open to backing Nigel Farage’s Reform UK at the next election, according to research from Bradshaw Advisory. The executives were split on whether they would support a Keir Starmer-led Labour Party or Farage’s Reform at the next election, with 24% of those polled backing one or the other. One in five financial services leaders said the prospect of Starmer’s ousting as leader of the Labour Party would threaten a “major impact” to their businesses.

Bloomberg

LEGAL

Lamont accuses Peggie judge of 'schoolboy' excuses

Former Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont has said the judge who oversaw the Sandie Peggie hearing made errors and used excuses that would not be deemed acceptable in a school classroom. A complaint of judicial misconduct was filed against Judge Alexander Kemp after he issued 12 corrections to his ruling in the high-profile employment tribunal. Kemp was later cleared, with Judge Susan Walker concluding that the errors were not caused by AI but stemmed from correspondence with an unnamed judicial colleague. But Lamont criticised Kemp for failing to take responsibility, comparing his excuses to those of a schoolchild, and argued that both the judge's and the judicial system's reputations were damaged. Other commentators, including Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser and Oxford law professor Michael Foran, expressed concern over the number of errors and the use of seemingly fabricated quotations.

The Times

Bar Council appoints first conduct commissioner

Dame Maria Miller has been appointed as the Bar Council's first commissioner for conduct, a role that aims to address bullying and sexual harassment in the legal profession. Her appointment follows the Independent Review of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment at the Bar, led by Baroness Harriet Harman KC, which highlighted a "culture of denial" and made 36 recommendations for reform. Miller will oversee the implementation of these changes, ensuring a safe environment for barristers and pupils. Bar Council chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said: "There is no place for bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar."

Legalcheek

ECONOMY

Government bets big on business growth

Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, says the government is "betting big" on businesses by taking direct stakes in growing companies as ministers look to boost economic growth. Kyle, who emphasised the importance of supporting scale-up companies to create jobs and wealth, acknowledged the possibility of failures but insisted that a hands-on approach is necessary for a healthy economy. "Waves of industrial change have always gone badly when governments stand on the sidelines," he said. Kyle also noted that the "most potential in our economy, in the short and medium term, is scale-up companies."

The Guardian

CORPORATE

London remains top global financial hub

London has maintained its status as the leading global financial centre, according to the City of London Corporation's latest report. The city scored 57, down from 58 last year, based on five categories: financial activity, talent and skills, regulatory environment, business infrastructure, and innovative ecosystem. Chris Hayward, policy chairman at the City of London Corporation, said: "London's offering of advanced capital markets, innovative tech and top global talent make it the No 1 choice for international business." However, the report highlights weaknesses, including slow internet speeds and the need for improved employee training and digital skills.

The Times

HIRING

The great graduate job drought

Economic uncertainty and the arrival of artificial intelligence have brought a reduction in entry-level roles, with potentially disastrous consequences for young people, the Financial Times reports.

Financial Times

INTERNATIONAL

Spanish train drivers call strike after two fatal crashes

Spain's biggest train drivers' union has called a three-day nationwide strike for February 9-11 to call for measures to guarantee railway safety following three derailments within 48 hours which caused crashes that left dozens dead, including two drivers. SEMAF said it would “demand criminal liability from those responsible for ensuring safety in the railway infrastructure,” adding “This situation of constant deterioration of the railway is unacceptable.”

Aljazeera

Reuters

The Times

AI firm sued over 'secret' job scoring

Eightfold, an artificial intelligence ‌hiring platform used by Microsoft, PayPal and many ‌other Fortune 500 companies, is being sued for allegedly scoring job candidates without their knowledge. The lawsuit filed in California was brought by job seekers Erin Kistler and Sruti Bhaumik, who claim Eightfold compiles detailed talent profiles, including personality descriptions and “fit scores” that function as consumer reports under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

U.S. News & World Report

Business Today (India)

Thailand's aviation sector struggles to fill key roles

Thailand's aviation sector is grappling with a significant personnel shortage following Covid-19. A report indicates that before the pandemic, the industry employed over 4.3m people, but now faces recruitment challenges and high turnover rates. Pukkanut Makchouy, President of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, said that a newly-signed collaboration with the International Air Transport Association aims to modernise training and improve workforce competencies to meet industry demands.

The Nation

SocGen to cut 1,800 jobs in France by end of 2027

French lender Société Générale intends to reduce the number of positions in the country by 1,800 out of a pool of 40,000 by the end of 2027, the CGT union said. "Management is calling in the unions . . . to present them with the reorganisation plan, which will result in 1,800 job losses – without any specific support plan (through natural attrition)," the union said in a statement.

Financial Times

Reuters

OTHER

Education shapes UK political views, study finds

According to a report by the National Centre for Social Research, education significantly influences political views in the UK. Individuals with qualifications below A-level are over twice as likely to support the Conservatives or Reform UK compared to those with higher education. The study found that 55% of people without A-levels oppose allowing undocumented immigrants to stay, while only 36% of degree holders share this view. Alex Scholes of NatCen stated: "In Britain, education stands out as the most important dividing line, particularly on immigration and diversity."

Daily Mirror

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