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UK Edition
26th August 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Business secretary defends zero-hours reforms

Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has defended proposed reforms to zero-hours contracts. "The policy is about the person on zero hours getting the right to a contract that reflects what they regularly work," he said. "So, if you're regularly working a number of hours . . . presumably the contract that reflects those hours is not higher cost to the business." However, he acknowledged potential "monitoring costs" for employers. The reforms would require companies to guarantee a minimum number of hours and provide notice for shift changes. An official impact statement has estimated costs could reach £3bn annually, with the retail and hospitality sectors being most affected. Reynolds said of the reforms: "This is a well-known part of the [government's] business plan. It's a manifesto commitment and governments should fulfil their manifesto promises. It meets the balance between the flexibility employers will need [and] the discretion of the employees if they want a contract that reflects those regular hours."
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Sainsbury's opens doors for 10,000 young workers

Sainsbury's is set to provide 10,000 work experience opportunities for young people over the next year. The programme will cater to individuals aged 14 to 24, offering roles in various sectors and support with CV writing and interviews. Chief executive Simon Roberts highlighted the lack of access to meaningful work for many young people, with nearly 1m not in education, employment, or training. The youth unemployment rate reached an 11-year high this year, and is currently at 16.2%. "Far too many young people are growing up in the UK today without access to meaningful work experience, often because they cannot find the right connections or network," Roberts said.
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WORKFORCE

RNLI workers strike over job cuts

Striking workers from the Inshore Lifeboat Centre (ILC) in East Cowes are set to protest outside the RNLI's headquarters in Poole. The charity plans to move production to Poole by 2027, risking up to 70 jobs. Unite claims the RNLI is not negotiating fair redundancy terms, despite the charity offering an enhanced package. The RNLI defends its decision, citing a decline in demand for lifeboats and the need for financial sustainability.

Dundee University reduces planned job cuts to 154

Dundee University plans to cut 154 jobs, down from the 187 proposed in June, as it seeks annual savings of about £20m following a major financial crisis. Around 675 roles have already been lost through voluntary redundancies, and the university hopes the latest reductions can also be achieved voluntarily, although compulsory redundancies remain possible.

CBI urges tax cuts to tackle youth unemployment

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has urged Chancellor John Healey to reduce national insurance contributions (NICs) for employers to address the youth unemployment crisis. Noting that over 1m young people are classified as Neet, the CBI recommends cutting the headline NICs rate from 15% to 14% and extending exemptions for workers under 25. CBI Chief Executive Rain Newton Smith said: "Young people have a tremendous amount to offer, yet too many are locked out of the labour market."
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LEGAL

Beauty therapist wins £32,000 after menopause dismissal

Chantelle Van Vliet, a senior beauty therapist, has been awarded over £32,000 after being dismissed for requesting flexible working due to menopause symptoms. The tribunal in Southampton found that Van Vliet, who had worked at Always Time To Be Me since June 2022, was unfairly let go without warning. Jonathan Burns, the employment judge, said: "It would have been reasonable for the [bosses] to allow [Van Vliet] to change her shifts as her request was modest and sensible, and to allow her to continue in employment so she could test out the new shifts as she had proposed." The clinic, which is now in voluntary liquidation, must pay £3,228 in unpaid wages, £510 in notice pay, £12,077 for lost salary, and £16,422 for injury to feelings.
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INTERNATIONAL

Fortescue suspends executive amid sexual harassment claims

Fortescue, Australia's third-largest miner, has suspended an unnamed executive over sexual harassment allegations, and engaged law firm MinterEllison to conduct an independent investigation into the matter. "As the investigation has progressed, Fortescue has continued to ​take external legal and governance advice," the miner said. "It has been decided that the employee who is the subject ​of the allegations will not undertake any work for Fortescue while the investigation ​continues." Fortescue is already facing a class action lawsuit filed last month that alleges it failed to protect female workers from sexual harassment and discrimination at its mine sites.

Workers jeer VW chief

Volkswagen's labour unions are opposing proposed job cuts that could affect up to 50,000 workers. Over 10,000 employees protested at the company's headquarters in Wolfsburg, some jeering Oliver Blume, the carmaker's chief executive, as he called on employees to "pull together" behind the company's restructuring. Blume also said that no decision had yet been taken on factory closures, which he called the "last and most expensive resort." Outside, workers waved banners bearing slogans such as "Our jobs are not your balance sheet adjustments" and "Respect is not up for negotiation." Volkswagen labour leader Daniela Cavallo said German factories were "an integral part" of the group. "Our trust in this company's executive board, and especially in Oliver Blume, has been damaged. Not yet beyond repair, but damaged nonetheless," she said. Rival turnaround proposals have been drawn up by labour representatives, which they intend to introduce at a supervisory board meeting next week.

Trump administration issues new $103K fee proposal for H-1B visas

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new proposed rule for H-1B visas that would charge a $103,265 fee for all skilled workers seeking to gain employment in the US. The plans were announced months after a federal judge voided the administration’s previous attempt to require a $100,000 application fee. The DHS said the two charges rely on different legal authority and cover different petitions. “The proposed H‑1B fee is intended to recover the costs incurred across the federal government to adjudicate, vet, and support lawful immigration programs that otherwise must be funded by taxpayers,” US Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Zach Kahler said

Israel imports record foreign workforce to replace Palestinians

Israel now has 250,000 legal and illegal foreign workers, the highest number ever, according to Israel Population and Immigration Authority data. The figures show that 26.5% of all current legal and illegal foreign workers are from Thailand, 21.7% from India, 11.8% from China, 11.2% from Sri Lanka, 9.5% from the Philippines, 8.9% from Uzbekistan, 4.4% from Moldova, and 1.7% from Nepal. The surge follows the closure of borders to Palestinian workers after October 7, 2023. The government plans to increase this number to 330,000, but housing remains a significant challenge. Many foreign workers face overcrowded and inadequate living conditions. Yoki Moshonov, CEO of Ovedly, a company that provides services to foreign workers in Israel, observed: "Here they get five or six times the average salary than in their countries of origin. They come to Israel for just one purpose - to earn money for their families. They send 80% of their salary to their families . . . and are regarded as excellent workers."
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OTHER

Dame Prue Leith calls for lunchbox ban

Dame Prue Leith has praised England's school food reforms as a "revolution" but suggested going further by providing compulsory free meals for every child and banning packed lunches. From next month, all pupils from families receiving Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals as updated standards seek to reduce childhood obesity and tooth decay. The former Great British Bake Off judge welcomed the government’s increased interest in improving school food after years of campaigning. She argued that serving nutritious and appealing meals would support children’s health while also helping them discover the enjoyment and pleasure of good food.
 
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