Human Times

UK Edition

11th September 2026

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THE HOT STORY

UK productivity shows signs of life

UK productivity may be entering its strongest period since the financial crisis, with revised measures showing output per job rising 1.4% in the year to June and alternative estimates pointing to faster gains since late 2024. Economists disagree over the cause, but some believe artificial intelligence is beginning to lift output, particularly in information and technology industries. John van Reenen of the London School of Economics called the improvement a "remarkable turnaround" that could represent "the first macroeconomic flowers of the AI boom". UK workers appear especially inclined to use AI to augment knowledge-based work rather than replace employees, although evidence from the US suggests productivity gains may also emerge through slower wage growth. Economists caution that forthcoming official measurements will be crucial in determining whether the recovery is sustained.

The Times

HR & LEADERSHIP

Is your retention data lying to you?

Employee intent to stay in EMEA has dropped from 66% to 62% in a year, and voluntary turnover now costs the global economy $2.9 trillion annually. Most organisations treat this as a culture problem or a headcount problem but they're rarely looking in the right place. BAFTA-winning writer Adam Kay spent years inside a system that couldn't see its own people clearly, and he's joining Rippling's Wendy Harris and Eric Greenwood to make the case that your people aren't the problem. Your blind spots are. Join the free 45-minute session to find out what AI means for the headcount you can't yet see.

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REMOTE WORKING

Home working could delay mansion tax

Labour's planned mansion tax faces concerns over delivery as HMRC and civil service unions dispute office attendance requirements for staff preparing the scheme. Officials must revalue about 2.4m homes before annual charges begin in April 2028, with properties worth more than £2m facing bills of up to £7,500. A temporary four-day office requirement was dropped after union opposition, although HMRC is still reviewing hybrid working. PCS representative Kim Hendry said HMRC leadership had found "no difference in productivity between home-working and office-based" and warned the union could consider industrial action. Conservatives said the dispute showed the policy was in disarray, while HMRC insisted flexible working would not threaten implementation and said higher office attendance could still be required where necessary.

The Daily Telegraph

WORKFORCE

Job losses loom from new tax

Hospitality leaders warn that a new tourism tax could lead to the loss of 33,000 jobs in England. The Labour party's proposal allows mayors to impose an uncapped levy on overnight stays, which could cost the industry up to £1.6bn. Whitbread, owner of Premier Inn, and Butlin's have urged the government to reconsider, stating that the tax could undermine investment and job creation. Jon Hendry Pickup, chief executive of Butlin's, noted that the tax could make family holidays less affordable, impacting demand and hiring. Angela Rayner, Communities Secretary, defended the tax as a means to support local services.

Daily Express

HIRING

NI cuts could boost hiring

Pano Christou, CEO of Pret a Manger, stated that reducing NI could help businesses hire more young people. Speaking at The Times's Future of London event, he noted that rising taxes since Labour's return have strained the hospitality sector. Christou advocated for tax breaks on national insurance for younger workers to address unemployment. He highlighted the challenges of operating on the high street, with competitors disappearing and rising costs affecting consumers. Despite these issues, he expressed optimism about Pret's growth and future prospects, stating: "We're very confident with the future."

The Times

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

NHS staff face changing room chaos

Female NHS staff say uncertainty over sex-based workplace policies continues despite the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling defining sex in the Equality Act by biological sex. Employees describe disputes over changing rooms, complaints about gender-critical views and fears of disciplinary consequences. Some clinicians also worry that tensions around gender identity could affect patient communication and safeguarding. Bethany Hutchison of the Darlington Nursing Union said, "We were bullied, our careers were threatened, and continue to be threatened." NHS England says updated single-sex accommodation guidance will be published shortly.

The Daily Telegraph

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Linklaters leads trainee intake drop

Linklaters has reduced its trainee solicitor intake from 100 to 60, leading to a 1.7% drop in overall trainee numbers across 109 law firms, according to the Legal Cheek Firms Most List. While 25 firms increased their trainee numbers, 24 firms decreased them. The rise of solicitor apprenticeships is influencing these changes, as firms like Linklaters expand their apprenticeship programmes. Despite the decline, some US firms are increasing their trainee intakes in London. Meanwhile, Linklaters has poached Mark Gordon from Wachtell, He joins in November as managing partner of its Americas business and co-chair of global M&A.

Financial Times

Legal Cheek

LEGAL

Tribunal cases soar to record high

Employment Tribunal cases in England and Wales reached a record 70,000 from April to June this year, according to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). With the Employment Rights Act 2025 beginning to bite, Single Employment Tribunal Receipts rose by nearly 30% compared to the previous year, while open caseloads increased by 51%. Michelle Morgan, head of employment at Gardner Leader, said: "The latest Employment Tribunal figures show that...the Government is failing to adequately resource an already overstretched system." Over half a million claims are currently pending, leading to longer waits and increased costs for both employees and employers.

City AM

Rockstar faces tribunal over union claims

Former employees of Rockstar North have initiated an employment tribunal, claiming unfair dismissal linked to their trade union activities. Represented by the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB), 23 of the 34 dismissed workers are participating in the tribunal. Rockstar contests the claims, asserting that the dismissals were due to breaches of confidentiality, not union involvement.

London Evening Standard

CORPORATE

Volkswagen faces €16bn crisis fallout

Volkswagen is facing a potential €16bn crisis as it plans to cut 100,000 jobs globally, including an additional 50,000 on top of previous announcements. The closures of four production plants in Germany will incur costs of €10bn in redundancy payments and €6 bn for plant closures. Annual profits fell 44% to €6.9 bn last year, largely due to competition from Chinese manufacturers and tariffs on US exports. Chief executive Oliver Blume noted that the workforce is about 15% too large and highlighted issues of duplication within the company.

The Times

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

HSBC seeks new CFO as Kaur retires

HSBC is searching for a new chief financial officer following the announcement of Pam Kaur's retirement in 2027. Kaur, who has been with HSBC for 13 years, will not seek re-election but will continue in an advisory role. The bank is considering both internal and external candidates for her successor. Following the news, HSBC's shares fell by 1.4%, resulting in a loss of approximately £3.7bn in market value.

Financial Times

City AM

Daily Mail

Ryanair investors revolt over Michael O’Leary’s €150m pay deal

Almost 40% of Ryanair shareholders have voted against a pay deal that could yield a €150m payout for its boss Michael O’Leary.

Financial Times

HEALTH & SAFETY

RNLI volunteers face abuse

The RNLI has warned its volunteers and staff against wearing the charity's branding due to "unacceptable abuse" from anti-migrant protesters. Following protests in Dover and Portsmouth, where volunteers were labelled as "traitors," the charity has enhanced security measures. An RNLI spokesman said: "Given the unacceptable abuse our people have faced... we have taken action to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers and staff." Guidance has been issued on managing challenging interactions, advising volunteers to avoid RNLI-branded clothing when necessary.

The I

TECHNOLOGY

Gatwick launches UK's first robotic parking

Gatwick Airport has introduced the UK's first fully automated car parking service, allowing passengers to park without human interaction. Passengers scan a QR code, park in a designated area, and leave their vehicle. A robotic vehicle then retrieves the car and parks it. Oli Bedford, head of airport access, said: "It gives customers peace of mind." The service, costing around £109 for five days, is currently available for trips of five days or longer and only during weekdays from 9am to 5pm.

The Daily Telegraph

INTERNATIONAL

Will AI boost or bust the economy?

Anthropic has developed an interactive tool to explore the potential impacts of AI on the U.S. economy. The tool allows users to test various scenarios, ranging from a modest economic boost with minimal job disruption to a drastic transformation where nearly 14% of workers could lose their jobs. "In the extreme scenario, AI transforms the economy," Anthropic experts stated. The study highlights the uncertainty surrounding AI's adoption and its effects on employment, with co-founder Jack Clark noting that while technology will advance rapidly, its integration into the economy may be slower than anticipated. A survey of nearly 11,000 people revealed mixed expectations, with many anticipating significant productivity gains but also considerable disruption in AI-sensitive fields. The speed of AI adoption will be crucial in determining its overall economic impact.

NPR / National Public Radio

California leads in worker protections

According to Oxfam's 2026 Best States to Work Index, California, Washington, D.C., and New York are the top states for worker protections, with minimum wages at least double the federal rate of $7.25. Cameryn Cobb, Ph.D., a social scientist at Oxfam America, said, “These states have continuously tried to meet the moment and pass policies to make sure that their workers are taken care of.” The index evaluates states based on wage scores, worker protection policies, and rights to organize. Notably, caregiver protection has been added to the list, addressing the needs of the “sandwich generation.” Cobb emphasized that states with strong worker rights also show better quality of life indicators, stating: “They have less people in poverty... a higher GDP per capita.” Raising the federal minimum wage, last increased in 2009, is also suggested as a necessary policy change.

CNBC

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