We round up the latest employment news.
Reforms to boost apprenticeships and economic growth
The UK government has unveiled a plan to create up to 10,000 new apprenticeship opportunities annually by reducing “bureaucratic barriers.”
Key changes include:
- Giving employers the option of allowing apprentices aged 19 and over to pass their course, even if they haven’t achieved the pass mark for English and maths; and
- Reducing the minimum length of apprenticeships from 12 months to eight months.
The government has also appointed new leaders for Skills England, a body dedicated to addressing the skills gaps and supporting employers across the country.
Wage growth surges despite weak job market
Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that the average regular pay increased by 5.6% in the three months to November, the highest since last May. This surge is driven by private sector growth and outpaced inflation at the fastest rate since August 2021. Despite this, the job market weakened, with unemployment rising to 4.4% and a drop of 47,000 payrolled workers in December.
The British Chambers of Commerce said there are “warning lights” in the job market, citing rising unemployment and falling vacancies.
New survey reveals that work-life balance tops pay
Randstad’s latest Workmonitor report revealed that work-life balance has surpassed pay as the top priority for employees. The research surveyed over 26,000 workers in 35 markets across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas.
Key findings include:
- Work-life balance is now more important to staff than pay (83% vs 82%)
- Trust issues persist, with 30% of employees not trusting their managers
- Toxic workplaces are a major concern, with 44% quitting due to a toxic environment
- Flexible working is crucial, with 31% leaving jobs due to lack of flexibility; and
- Community and belonging are also important, with 55% of employees saying they are willing to quit if they don’t feel a sense of belonging.
NHS supports job seekers with mental health issues
Last year, the NHS Talking Therapies Programme supported nearly 70,000 people with mental health issues in finding employment, a 62% increase from the previous year. The programme assists people with anxiety and depression. It links them to employment advisors who help them look for jobs, write CVs, prepare for interviews, and advise on workplace adjustments.
Nearly two million referrals were made, with over 1.2 million people starting treatment. The NHS plans to recruit more employment advisors to meet growing demand.
Survey reveals benefits system fails mental health claimants
A new survey by the Department for Work and Pensions reveals that the benefits system is failing people with mental health conditions who want to work.
Key findings include:
- Nearly 200,000 individuals on health and disability benefits are ready to work if the right support is available
- 44% of respondents believe they could work in the future if their health improves
- The number of young people (aged 16 to 34) economically inactive due to long-term mental health conditions has reached 270,000, a significant increase over the past year
- The equivalent figure for all working-age people (16 to 64) is 790,000, up by 140,000 in the last year; and
- 50% of people on health and disability benefits worry they won't get their benefits back if they try paid employment and it doesn't work out.
Mobile jobcentres aim to boost employment
The UK government has launched a new “Jobcentre on wheels” service in an attempt to increase employment across Great Britain. These mobile Jobcentres will visit high-unemployment areas, such as Bolton and parts of Wales. They are staffed by experienced work coaches, and will help local people search for jobs, access training and signpost the support on offer to help them with childcare costs.
The service is open to all members of the public who are looking for a job.
Record numbers of black and disabled workers want jobs that give them flexibility
The latest Work Index report reveals a significant rise in Black and disabled workers looking for flexible jobs. In 2024, the number of Black, African, and Caribbean job seekers nearly tripled, rising from 5% in January to 14% in December. Similarly, the number of workers with disabilities seeking flexible roles increased by 50%, peaking at 19% in August and November.
The majority of workers preferred “fully remote” roles (which let staff work from home on a full-time basis), with demand for fully remote jobs rising by 10% over the course of the year. By December 2024, almost two fifths (64%) of all workers wanted to work completely remotely. Yet on average, just 4% of roles advertised during 2024 offered fully remote work.
Acas releases new guidance to promote neurodiversity in the workplace
Acas has published new advice to help employers create inclusive workplaces, raise awareness of neurodiversity, and comply with their legal obligations.
Acas also asked 1,650 line managers about the difficulties they encountered when supporting neurodivergent staff:
- 72% cited employees not telling them they needed adjustments
- 45% reported a lack of organisational knowledge about neurodiversity
- 39% mentioned difficulties in having conversations about adjustments.
Labour shelves gender recognition reforms
According to the Guardian newspaper, Labour has quietly shelved plans to simplify the process for trans people to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate to legally change their sex.
Four-Day work week amendment proposed
More than a dozen MPs have tabled an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill to help more businesses adopt a four-day working week. If adopted, the government will set up a Working Time Council to advise on how businesses can transition from working a five-day working week to a four-day work week without reducing pay.
Last month, it was reported that 200 UK companies, employing over 5,000 people, have already adopted a permanent four-day working week. The PCS union claims that the government could save around £21 million annually by allowing civil servants to work four days a week on the same wage.
ICO publishes guidance on keeping employment records
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has released the final version of its guidance on maintaining employment records. This guidance helps employers manage personal information in line with the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. Initially introduced as a draft after a 2023 consultation, the final version was published on Wednesday 5 February 2025.
The guide is designed to be read alongside the ICO’s other guidance on data protection and employment, in particular its detailed guidance on information about workers’ health and monitoring workers.
EHRC submits report on economic, social and cultural rights in Great Britain to UN
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has presented its "Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Great Britain: 2025 Submission to the United Nations.” This report evaluates the state of these rights in Great Britain.
The report examines the employment conditions and access for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. It highlights significant disparities in pay, employment, and occupations based on disability, ethnicity and gender, and discusses proposed legislation to address these issues. The report also addresses ongoing racial and sexual harassment in the UK workforce and outlines recent legislative changes aimed at strengthening protections against workplace sexual harassment.
Read more – February 2025
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