Human Times

UK Edition

5th June 2026

Together with

THE HOT STORY

NHS staff urged to ditch political badges

Lord Mann has called for NHS staff to be banned from wearing political badges at work after his government-commissioned review into antisemitism in the health service found Jewish staff felt ostracised and some Jewish patients were avoiding care. He cited incidents including a Jewish employee’s locker being smeared with bacon fat and said NHS uniforms should not be used at political demonstrations. The Department of Health and Social Care has accepted his recommendation for a national uniform policy and will publish guidance in due course. It also plans a new staff standard, mandatory anti-racism training for NHS trust chairs and chief executives, and updated equality training covering antisemitism and anti-Muslim hostility. The Times says that a sharp reduction in factional and identity signalling is long overdue, particularly in the public sector and concludes that NHS staff should understand that they are expected to leave their politics at the door.

The Times

HIGH-POTENTIAL TALENT

The way we identify potential is starting to shift

We’re hearing this more and more from organisations. Past performance just isn’t giving the full picture anymore when it comes to identifying future potential.

As AI changes how work looks and how careers develop, many HR teams are rethinking what high potential really means and what they should be looking for instead.

Join Talogy’s experts for High potential in the age of AI: What defines future capability now? - a practical session exploring how the definition of potential is evolving, the growing importance of emotional intelligence and transferable skills, and how organisations can take a more forward-looking approach to identifying and developing talent.

They’ll also discuss why identifying potential earlier is becoming more important for building stronger future talent pipelines.

Register for the webinar

WORKFORCE

Graduates face tougher job market

Graduates are encountering a challenging job market, with employment rates declining. A survey by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) revealed that 57% of 2023-24 graduates were in full-time employment 15 months post-graduation, down from 59% the previous year. The unemployment rate rose to 7%, while 25% were in other forms of employment. Despite the challenges, 83% of graduates found their activities meaningful. HESA noted that the current market reflects a "subdued" economy, with fewer opportunities for new entrants, rather than a structural collapse.

The Times

Young people face bleak job market

The veterans minister, Louise Sandher-Jones, suggested that young people should consider joining the armed forces due to the high number of 1m 16- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment, or training (Neets). However, concerns have been raised about the military preying on vulnerable youth. Emma Sangster from Forces Watch highlighted the issue of "conscription by poverty". Critics like Jim Wyke argue that military recruitment does not effectively address youth unemployment, noting high dropout rates among under-18 recruits. Will O'Donnell, a final-year student, echoed this sentiment, stating that the problem is much larger than simply encouraging military service.

The Guardian

Job market tough, but hope remains

The UK job market is challenging, with payrolled employment declining and wage growth stagnating. Rising living costs and fierce competition complicate the situation for jobseekers. According to John Young, a workplace learning consultant at TSG Training, there are still lucrative entry-level positions available in sectors like finance, technology, and sales. For instance, junior software developers can earn between £28,000 and £45,000. Young emphasised the importance of demonstrating practical skills over formal qualifications to stand out in the competitive landscape.

Metro

Asda to axe 1,000 jobs

Asda plans to cut up to 1,000 jobs as it increases automation and robotics in its warehouses. The restructuring will consolidate its George clothing operation at a single site in Derby, managed by DHL. Currently, 1,250 staff work across three distribution sites, but only 250 will remain after the changes. Rachelle Wilkins from the GMB union expressed concern, stating: "A thousand people losing their jobs to be replaced by robots sounds like something from a dystopian sci-fi movie." She warned that this could be just the beginning for job losses in other areas.

Daily Star

S4 Capital cuts jobs amid AI shift

Sir Martin Sorrell's S4 Capital has reduced its workforce by 150, now totalling about 6,200 employees, a decline of 11% from last year. The company anticipates a revenue drop of low single digits for the financial year, estimating between £632m and £663m. The firm's shares fell by 4% to close at 41½p, and net debt is projected to be between £60m and £90m.

The Times

REMOTE WORKING

Remote work's toll on mental health

Research indicates that remote work has negatively affected employees' mental health, particularly among those living alone. A survey of over 500,000 Americans revealed increased isolation and worsened psychological wellbeing since the Covid pandemic. Natalia Emanuel, a research economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, analysed data from five surveys, comparing experiences from 2011-2019 to 2022-2024. She suggested that organisations should prioritise reducing isolation in remote work, such as coordinating in-office days or encouraging informal online interactions. Professor Rourke O'Brien from Yale University noted the measurable costs of this shift in work location.

Daily Mirror

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Police must tackle racism in society

Alison Heydari, director of the police race action plan, stated that police forces must address racism not only within their ranks but also in wider society. She highlighted the ongoing breakdown of trust between black communities and the police, citing historical events that contribute to "intergenerational trauma." Heydari expressed concern that political narratives, influenced by figures like Donald Trump, could undermine diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the UK. She emphasised the importance of procedural justice and community engagement to rebuild trust and improve policing outcomes.

The Daily Telegraph

LEGAL

Lex Greensill banned from UK directorships for 9 years

Lex Greensill has been banned from acting as a company director in the UK for nine years. The financier behind the collapsed lending firm Greensill Capital agreed to the disqualification from the Insolvency Service on Thursday, five years after his company collapsed with liabilities of more than £1.6bn. Greensill’s conduct was found to have breached a legal duty under UK corporate law to "exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence as a company director".

Financial Times

The Guardian

The Times

Tech bosses face prison time over child safety

The UK Government plans to impose criminal sanctions on technology companies like Google and Apple if they fail to prevent children from accessing nude images on their devices. Ministers aim to enforce changes that would block all nudity, including pornography and explicit film scenes. Sources told the Times that penalties could mirror those in the Online Safety Act, with potential prison sentences of up to five years.

The Times

REMUNERATION

Trafigura staff set for record payout

Trafigura, a major commodities trading house, is set to distribute a record multibillion-pound payout to its employees following significant profits driven by market volatility from the Middle East conflict. The company reported a net profit of over $4bn for the first half of the year, up from $1.5bn last year.

The Times

Mishcon de Reya introduces bonus boost

Mishcon de Reya will implement a new "bonus boost" for its lawyers starting July 2027. The initiative rewards those who exceed their billable-hour targets, although the firm will maintain its current expectations. All associates, managing associates, and of counsel lawyers will benefit from the scheme, which acknowledges both financial contributions and the use of AI. City law firm generated £330m in revenue for the 2024/25 financial year, a 9% increase from the previous year, with profits rising 14% to £110m.

City AM

WORKPLACE

KPMG ends summer early finish policy

KPMG's UK division has announced the cancellation of a pandemic-era policy that allowed staff to finish early on Fridays. It will be the first time since its introduction in 2021 that the programme will not be in effect. A spokesperson said: "Every year we review our summer ‘jump start' program to make sure we are considering market conditions and business needs."

Bloomberg Tax

The Daily Telegraph

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Revolut's tech chief steps down

Vlad Yatsenko, co-founder of Revolut, will step down as chief technology officer and transition to a non-executive director role. Donato Lucia, vice-president of technology, will succeed him.

The Times

INTERNATIONAL

China's bold plan to boost jobs

China has introduced an 18-point action plan aimed at stabilising employment and increasing incomes. The plan, approved by the State Council, focuses on shielding the labour market from external shocks like trade wars. It includes measures to support affected industries, extend unemployment insurance, and promote job creation in sectors such as manufacturing and technology. The plan also addresses the needs of new college graduates, aiming to create over 12m urban jobs by 2026. Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping emphasised the importance of integrating AI into job creation and improving workers' livelihoods.

Chinadaily US Edition

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