Human Times

UK Edition

1st April 2026

THE HOT STORY

Pay body sees potential 3.7% rise for minimum wage in 2027

The Low Pay Commission has said the minimum wage may need to rise ‌by around 3.7% next year to £13.18 an hour to keep up with the likely rise in average earnings. The public body, which advises the government on the rate, gave the forecast as part of an annual consultation with employers, unions and the public. "The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations," Commission chair Philippa Stroud said. Meanwhile, the Commission has said the decision to raise the minimum wage by 6.7% last spring has had a minimal effect on inflation and not led to a significant, economy-wide impact on jobs. Increased rates of the National Minimum Wage, including the National Living wage, come into force from today.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Apprentices face basic numeracy challenges, House of Lords inquiry hears

Some apprentices at Severn Trent, one of Britain's largest water companies, struggle with basic numeracy skills, with about 10% having the skills of an 11-year-old. This was noted by the company's HR director Neil Morrison during a House of Lords inquiry, where he told of issues including difficulty telling the time and performing basic calculations, which can affect work-related tasks such as understanding payslips. Morrison said the situation is worse for the most disadvantaged groups in society.

The Daily Telegraph

WORKFORCE

Steel industry warns of job cuts

Industry leaders have raised concerns over new trade rules that could jeopardise UK steel jobs. The regulations allow foreign pre-made steel parts to enter the UK tax-free, a move critics say undermines efforts to protect domestic manufacturers. Steve Morley, head of the Confederation of British Metalforming, said there was a "very real threat" that jobs would be lost and factories would be shut as a result. He added that the tariffs "will see the price of raw material rise and availability reduce, which will make manufacturing totally uncompetitive, leaving the door open for imports of finished metal goods which will have no restrictions in terms of quotas or tariffs."

The Guardian

HIRING

Unilever freezes hiring as Iran war poses ‘significant challenges’

Unilever is freezing hiring for at least three months. The company, which owns brands such as Dove soap and Hellman’s mayonnaise, told staff the ban on hiring will affect “all levels” of recruitment and was taken in response to the “significant challenges” posed by the crisis in the Middle East. "Macro economic and geopolitical realities, especially in the Middle East conflict . . . bring some significant challenges for the coming few months," Fabian Garcia, head of Unilever's personal care business, wrote in a memo. "With this in mind, the Unilever Leadership Executive team has agreed a global recruitment freeze at all levels. This will be effective immediately and last for a minimum of three months."

U.S. News

Bloomberg

Reuters

REGULATION

Solicitors regulator to investigate fewer cases after complaints rise

The Solicitors Regulation Authority plans to reduce the number of investigations it pursues after failing to keep pace with a growing number of complaints about lawyers’ misconduct.

Financial Times

ECONOMY

UK shop price inflation ticks higher amid Middle East conflict concerns

UK shop price inflation rose to 1.2% year-on-year in March, up from 1.1% in February, as early cost pressures linked to the Iran conflict began filtering through retail supply chains, according to the British Retail Consortium. Although the rate remains below the recent three-month average, retailers have warned that escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly impacts on energy, transport and sourcing costs, are likely to push inflation higher in the coming months. Food inflation eased slightly to 3.4%, helped by lower dairy prices, while non-food prices returned to modest growth, rising 0.1% after a prior decline. However, the industry highlighted additional cost pressures from new labour market and health-related regulations, which could further strain margins and feed into consumer prices.

Bloomberg

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Many employees say work has been stripped of fun

The loss of small perks and the rise of AI in a push seemingly aimed at squeezing more work out of fewer people have conspired to strip the office of all fun, many employees are saying. The Wall Street Journal notes that chief financial officers at large US companies mentioned “efficiency” at least once on 307 conference calls in the latest quarter as of March 26, up from 219 a year earlier and the highest level since at least 2020, according to AlphaSense. “There’s almost nobody who is feeling positive vibes about their job right now,” said Rocco Seyboth, a longtime software marketer outside Seattle. “Everyone I talked to is consumed by AI - either how to use it, how to pretend to use it, how much they hate using it, how it’s going to eliminate their position or their company’s product,” he said. Human resources executives say they are aware of the concerns of white-collar staff. “There’s fear in the workforce,” said Jacqui Canney, chief people and AI enablement officer at the technology company ServiceNow.

Wall Street Journal

Air Canada CEO to retire after English-only response to tragedy

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau will retire later this year after being criticised for failing to speak French in a condolence video following a fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport in New York that killed two pilots. Rousseau informed the airline that he will be stepping down by the end of the company's third quarter. He had faced calls to resign after delivering his condolences in English only. One of the pilots who died, Antoine Forest, was from French-speaking Quebec. Air Canada is headquartered in Montreal and the company's own policy requires employees to be able to communicate in both of Canada's official languages. In a post on X, Quebec Premier François Legault welcomed Air Canada's announcement, saying the carrier's next CEO should speak French as a "matter of respect for the employees, francophone customers, and all Quebecers."

Employee disengagement is affecting Singapore business

Over 80% of employers in Singapore report that employee disengagement is impacting their business, according to a survey by recruitment agency Robert Walters. The survey revealed that 65% of workers experience so-called "quiet cracking," a state whereby employees appear present but struggle internally due to pressure and job uncertainty. The phenomenon can, it is claimed, lead to a decline in well-being and productivity. Kirsty Poltock, country manager of Robert Walters Singapore, emphasised the need for leaders to care for their employees to foster a motivated work environment. The report warns of a potential "engagement recession" in 2026 if these issues are not addressed.

Business Times SG

Italy nears decisions on who will lead major state-backed companies

Italy’s government is nearing decisions on who will lead major state-backed companies worth about €250bn ($287bn). Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is understood to be leaning toward changes at Enel, Eni, Leonardo, Poste, grid operator Terna SpA and air traffic control Enav SpA, with the board chairs at all six companies potentially being replaced, according to sources. Talks are ongoing regarding these roles, they said. Bloomberg notes that the leadership changes under consideration would add to a broader political reset by Meloni after defeat last week in a referendum on judicial reform.

Bloomberg

OTHER

New law targets harassment affecting girls’ school lives

A new law criminalising public sexual harassment is set to come into force following years of campaigning by Gemma Tutton and her sister. The Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act will outlaw behaviours such as catcalling, following, and obscene gestures. Despite such progress, campaigners warn harassment remains widespread, particularly affecting girls during their school years and shaping their education and daily experiences. Many report feeling unsafe travelling to and from school. Tutton says the law is a major step forward but stresses that lasting cultural change is needed, as abuse continues both in public spaces and increasingly online.

The Times

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