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UK Edition
21st October 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Union slams NatWest plans to get workers back to the office

The Unite union is pushing back after NatWest told more than 30,000 remote and hybrid workers they would have to work from the office at least twice a week from February. "This is yet another kick in the teeth for workers who have suffered years of real-terms pay cuts and who are struggling to make ends meet," Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said. "NatWest’s decision is completely out of touch with the realities facing its workforce," she added, pointing out that thousands of staff would face higher travel and childcare costs as a result. A NatWest spokesperson said: "Flexible working remains an important part of how we work but we’ve also learned more about the value that spending time together brings for our colleagues and customers – helping teams collaborate, share ideas, build relationships and learn from one another."
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

White-collar businesses say graduates lack essential skills

Employers in white-collar sectors warn that graduates lack essential communication and teamwork skills. A report, commissioned by the government, highlights that while graduates may possess technical expertise, they often lack the "human skills" necessary for roles in law, accountancy, and consultancy. The skills gap is said to be hindering recruitment and productivity, particularly as AI transforms entry-level jobs. The report said the problem "highlights the importance of schools, colleges and universities working together with employers to develop employability skills and provide exposure to workplace experience." PwC is among the companies introducing training programmes to address these deficiencies.

Teenagers want more work experience

Over 40% of UK teenagers desire increased work experience opportunities, according to a BBC survey by Survation involving 2,000 participants aged 13 to 18. Many respondents expressed the need for better job application guidance and support in communication skills, stress management, and personal finance. Despite concerns about AI's impact on job availability, over 75% of teens remain optimistic about their futures.
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WORKFORCE

Job vacancies slump to five-year low

Job vacancies in Britain have fallen to a five-year low, dropping below 700,000 for the first time since April 2021. The Office for National Statistics reported a decline to 691,000 in the three months to September. Pat McFadden, Work and Pensions Secretary, said the labour market is showing resilience, citing a 13,000 increase in the number of people in payroll employment. However, this is still 0.2%, or 66,000, lower than a year earlier. The unemployment rate fell to 4.7% in the three months to August, the lowest for more than a year, while total pay excluding bonuses grew by 3.7%, the slowest pace in six years. Suren Thiru, chief economist at the Institute of Chartered Accountants, warned of a "flashing red warning light" for the labour market due to weak hiring and rising employment costs.

Graduates drown in debt as interest soars

The number of graduates unable to keep up with rising debt interest has reached record levels. In the 2025-26 tax year, 2.09m graduates from England saw their debt increase, despite an 11% rise in repayments since 2021. This was an increase of 155% compared with the number in 2021-22. Nearly 1.6m of these graduates are on Plan 2 loans, which have high interest rates. Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP, commented: "To see the number unable to keep up with the interest double in such a short period should send a massive warning sign to the Treasury." The government capped Plan 2 loan interest at 6% for 2026-27.
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HIRING

Amazon pledges 30,000 jobs for Neets

Amazon has announced its 'Youth Promise' programme, pledging to create 30,000 entry-level jobs for young people by 2030. The initiative aims to address rising youth unemployment: nearly 1m young individuals are currently classified as Neet (not in education, employment, or training). Each role will offer a minimum salary of £31,000 per year. John Boumphrey, Amazon UK's country manager, said: "The Youth Promise is about reaching and supporting more people like them, in the places where those first chances are hardest to find."
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STRATEGY

Flutter to cut 1,400 jobs amid tax hikes

Flutter Entertainment, the owner of Paddy Power, plans to cut up to 1,400 jobs due to rising taxes on the gambling industry. CEO Kevin Harrington said tax increases have "fundamentally changed" the economic model, making it unsustainable for the company. The cuts will primarily affect staff in Leeds, Dublin, and other locations, although specific roles remain undisclosed. Flutter reported a $299m pre-tax loss for the last quarter, contrasting with a profit of $205m the previous year.
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ECONOMY

UK consumer confidence lowest for three years

Consumer confidence in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in over three years, reaching 41.3, according to S&P Global. This marks the third consecutive month of decreasing confidence, driven by fears of inflation and rising interest rates. The survey indicates that 57% of households anticipate higher interest rates in the near future. The negative sentiment reflects a significant drop in expectations for personal finances over the next year.
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TECHNOLOGY

Anthropic turns to lawyers to help AI agents strike deals

Anthropic is engaging with legal firms to understand negotiation practices as it develops AI agents capable of independent negotiation. These agents could negotiate prices, resolve disputes, and secure better salaries.
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INTERNATIONAL

VW plans to freeze salaries until 2030, works council says

Worker representatives at Volkswagen say the carmaker has told its human resources managers worldwide to plan for no pay increases through 2030. Germany’s largest industrial union, IG Metall, is pushing for a 5% pay increase. The company’s European and Global Works Council said the approach by management was "absurd" and ​it anticipated robust resistance. "At Volkswagen, pay development is decided ​at the negotiating table, not by decree from ​the executive boardroom," a spokesperson for the union said. No pay rises ​could mean a loss of income ​of around ⁠10% for those affected, due to inflation, according to the ​Sueddeutsche Zeitung, which first ⁠reported the news.

NAB to axe 2,500 jobs in overhaul

National Australia Bank will eliminate 2,500 jobs as part of its strategy to simplify operations. This represents approximately 6% of its workforce and will occur during the 2026-27 financial year. At least 1,500 positions are expected to be cut by the end of 2026. The cuts follow a comprehensive review of the bank's workforce. "Our ambition and strategy ​remain unchanged. We will improve productivity, risk outcomes and execution to be a simpler and more efficient bank," ​said NAB chief executive Andrew Irvine.

Stellantis plans to hire hundreds more engineers

Carmaker Stellantis plans to recruit hundreds more engineers in Europe and the United States, in a hiring plan that contrasts with competitors, including Volkswagen and Renault, who have  been reducing their workforces, including engineers. “This year we will hire multiple hundreds additional engineers in the different locations throughout Europe and United States,” chief engineering and technology officer Ned Curic said at the Paris car show. “It’s so critical for us that engineering stays and happens in Europe,” he added.
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OTHER

Schoolgirls 'avoiding education' due to sexual harassment

At least 230,000 children and young people experienced abuse in a relationship last year, according to a report which warns that online misogyny and algorithms are fuelling harm. Where suspects are aged between 10 and 18, 10% of offences took place in an educational setting, according to the first "Strategic Threat Risk Assessment." Police chiefs said schoolgirls were "avoiding education" due to sexual harassment. Helen Millichap, the director of the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection who is also a deputy assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan Police, said: "Violence against women and girls remains a national emergency . . . This assessment gives us the clearest understanding we have ever had of the threats facing women and girls, and where we must focus our efforts. Domestic abuse remains the most significant threat, but the assessment also shows how offending continues to evolve through technology, exploitation and the growing risks facing children and young people." 
 
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