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UK Edition
18th March 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Workplace violence surges in Scotland

The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey for 2024/25 has found that violent crime in the work place had “steadily increased” over the period. According to the survey, 46% of violent crimes took place in the victim's place of work – double the 23% recorded in 2008-09 and up from 32% in 2019-20. Justice Secretary Angela Constance also raised concerns about the proportion of violent crimes – including assaults, attempted assaults and robberies – committed by children. She said: “I am particularly concerned about the higher proportion of violent crimes committed in the workplace and the increase in the proportion of violent incidents involving a child perpetrator . . . Reported levels of fraud and computer misuse also show the need for continued focus in this area.”
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STRATEGY

Bentley jobs at risk amid 'efficiency activities'

Up to 275 jobs may be lost at luxury carmaker Bentley, with cuts coming as part of "overall efficiency activities." The firm said the job cuts will impact management, agency, and non-manufacturing roles. CEO Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser said: "We are making some difficult decisions to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the business." He noted that this includes an "organisational adjustment potentially impacting approximately 275 positions." News of the job losses came as the firm reported an operating profit of £186m and revenue of £2.25bn.

Close Brothers to cut 600 jobs

Close Brothers plans to cut 600 jobs across the next 18 months, or nearly 25% of its workforce. The financial services company says it is looking to reduce costs by about £25m in its current financial year, with cuts set to come through outsourcing and offshoring work, as well as decreasing its property footprint. On the job losses, chief executive Mike Morgan said: "While the impact on affected colleagues is regrettable, these actions are necessary to structurally lower our cost base, while increasing our agility and ability to serve our customers."

Chemical firm considers closing UK plant

Huntsman, a global chemical company, is contemplating the closure of a plant in Redcar due to a "hostile business environment." Chairman and CEO Peter Huntsman said that if economic conditions remain "uncompetitive," the company may consider relocating outside the UK. He highlighted that UK production costs for aniline, a key raw material, have surged to two to three times higher than overseas. Mr Huntsman also expressed concern over high energy prices and labour costs, saying: "The greatest workforce in the world was in the UK, but it is being squandered."
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LEGAL

Unite faces £265k fine over bin strike

Unite has been fined £265k after a judge found the union in contempt of court during an ongoing bin strike. The union must also make an interim payment of £170k towards Birmingham City Council's legal costs. The council cited repeated breaches of an injunction that prevents blockades of refuse collection vehicles. Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, called the fine a "pathetic attempt to intimidate workers."
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WORKFORCE

Generation X faces retirement crisis

The Social Market Foundation warns of a "pension shock" as many workers realise their retirement income will be much lower than anticipated. So-called Generation X - those born between 1965 and 1980 - is facing a significant retirement crisis, with 54% lacking adequate savings. They are said to be caught between two pension systems, missing out on both defined benefit schemes and auto-enrolment savings. The Social Market Foundation survey shows that 79% of Gen X are unaware of their pension pot amounts. Catherine Foot from the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement think-tank said: "Gen X is at the sharp end of a building retirement crisis."
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ECONOMY

UK consumer confidence falls amid Iran war concerns

UK consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level since January 2025, with S&P Global’s index slipping to 44.1 in March as the war involving Iran weighs on economic sentiment. Households are increasingly pessimistic about their finances and reluctant to make major purchases, while rising energy prices linked to the conflict risk pushing up inflation and delaying expected interest rate cuts.
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CORPORATE

Middle East conflict to intensify European corporate distress

The war in the Middle East and surging energy costs are set to exacerbate soaring levels of financial distress among European companies, according to Alvarez & Marsal. “The escalating conflict in the Middle East is likely acting as a multiplier for the distress we are already tracking across the European landscape,” said Chris Johnston, a managing director in the consultancy firm’s European restructuring team. Referencing the surge in oil and gas prices, Johnston said: “This directly erodes the purchasing power of the European consumer, further destabilising retail and other consumer focused sectors that are already struggling with market share erosion and high debt-servicing costs.”
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INTERNATIONAL

UN chief warns of a rising tide of anti-Muslim bigotry

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has highlighted a "rising tide of anti-Muslim bigotry and hate" during the International Day to Combat Islamophobia event in New York. He urged governments, tech companies, and individuals to combat discrimination and protect human rights. Guterres noted that nearly 2 billion Muslims face exclusion and violence, both online and offline, saying: “When discriminatory narratives are echoed by those in positions of authority, prejudice becomes normalised . . . When stereotypes are left unchallenged, they harden into policy.” He added: “As Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims around the world reaffirm values that also form the foundation of the UN Charter: empathy for the vulnerable, generosity toward neighbours, and responsibility toward the wider community.”

Trump's chief of staff has breast cancer but will keep working through treatment

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer but will continue her duties during treatment. President Donald Trump shared the news on social media, saying that Wiles' prognosis is “excellent” and calling her “one of the strongest people I know.” In a statement to the New York Times, Wiles said she was “encouraged by the strong prognosis” and thanked Trump for his support. “Nearly one in eight women in the United States will face this diagnosis,” Wiles said. “Every day, these women continue to raise their families, go to work and serve their communities with strength and determination. I now join their ranks.”

Indonesian workers are the happiest in the Asia-Pacific region

According to a survey by Jobstreet by SEEK, 82% of Indonesian workers reported feeling happy at work, the highest in the Asia-Pacific region. Such happiness is attributed to cultural factors, strong social ties, and a sense of purpose. Tulus Winarsunu, a professor of industrial and organisational psychology at Malang's Muhammadiyah University, said Indonesia's communal society is a key factor behind the results. “Indonesians are more collective and interdependent, and they need other people to create a sense of happiness. Indonesians have a strong social identity where happiness comes not just from yourself and your independence, but because of colleagues.” However, the survey also highlighted concerns about burnout, with 43% of respondents saying they experience it. Experts noted that while communal culture fosters happiness, job insecurity and heavy workloads contribute to stress.
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OTHER

One in ten freshers lacks A-levels

Almost 10% of university freshers now enter higher education without A-levels or equivalent qualifications, up from 5% a decade ago, amounting to around 75,000 students in 2024–25. Of these, about 50,000 have no GCSEs, prompting concerns about whether some entrants are adequately prepared to complete their courses. University of Birmingham vice-chancellor Adam Tickell has warned about the risks of investing in students who may be unlikely to graduate. Universities, however, say admissions decisions take into account a wider range of factors, including the experience and potential of mature applicants.
 
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