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UK Edition
4th July 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Home Office unaware if foreign workers leave after visas end, MPs say

The Home Office does not know whether foreign workers are leaving the UK or staying to work illegally after their visas expire, a cross-party committee of MPs has said. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which scrutinises government spending, said the Home Office had failed to analyse exit checks since the skilled worker visa route was introduced in 2020 under the Conservatives. Some 1.18 million people have applied to come to the UK via this route between its launch in December 2020 and the end of 2024. The Home Office said earlier this year that it was working to modernise border security and boost digital checks. The skilled worker visa route replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa after the UK left the European Union.
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HIRING

Skilled worker shortage threatens housing plans

A shortage of skilled workers is threatening the government's plan to construct 1.5m homes by 2029. The Construction Industry Training Board has indicated that 239,300 new workers must be recruited to meet this target. However, City & Guilds reports that 76% of building firms are struggling to retain essential staff. Kirstie Donnelly, chief executive of City & Guilds, emphasised the urgency of the situation, commenting: "With the government signalling intention to reduce reliance on overseas workers, investing in and nurturing skills isn't optional - it's critical."
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STRATEGY

Bumble chief criticises staff for ‘freaking out’ over London job cuts

Bumble chief executive Whitney Wolfe Herd has criticised staff for “freaking out” after announcing the online dating company would eliminate more than 160 roles in London, warning that drastic cost-cutting measures were needed as “dating apps are feeling like a thing of the past.” Wolfe Herd said the company's “centre of gravity” would move to the US where the “talent pool is right now.” She said that “London’s not the first choice, that’s the frank reality.”

Superdrug defies tax hikes with job growth

Superdrug has successfully increased its workforce by over 600 jobs, raising its headcount from 13,845 to 14,479 in 2024, despite facing challenges from tax hikes introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The company reported a pre-tax profit of £136.8m, up from £111.6m, with revenue climbing from £1.5bn to £1.6bn. Superdrug acknowledged that the rise in National Minimum Wage and employers' National Insurance contributions has put a "strain" on operating costs, yet it has managed to mitigate these challenges. Looking ahead, Superdrug anticipates a "challenging" retail environment in 2025, but remains confident in its growth strategy and market position.

Family-run bakery announces big job cuts

Roberts Bakery, a historic Cheshire bakery established in 1887, has announced plans to cut up to 250 jobs due to "serious challenges" stemming from the pandemic, the cost of living crisis, and increased competition. The company, which supplies major supermarkets including Tesco and Sainsbury's, is undergoing a reorganisation to ensure its viability. A spokesperson said: "This is without a doubt the hardest decision our family has ever faced in the bakery's long history." The bakery has also been affected by a fire in 2023 that halted operations for a significant period.
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WORKFORCE

Teaching Commission calls for creation of 'expert teacher' role

A new report from the Teaching Commission, Shaping the Future of Teaching, has called for the creation of a new "expert teacher" role to enable experienced staff to further their careers while staying in the classroom. The commission argues that such teachers can act as models of "good professional practice" and "raise the status of the classroom teacher." The report also argues for a broader remit for the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB), empowering the STRB to review "the excessive working hours culture in schools and to develop proposals which place a limit on teacher and school leader contracted working time," taking into account directed hours along with other duties such as planning, marking, and managing behaviour.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Freshfields launches innovative LLM programme

Freshfields has announced a partnership with King's College London (KCL) to offer a fully sponsored LLM in technology and law, which includes a £20,000 maintenance grant for future trainees. The programme, described as a first for a law firm, aims to enhance the skills of the next generation of lawyers in areas such as artificial intelligence, media, and cryptocurrencies. Mark Sansom, managing partner for London and Dublin, said that the initiative will "turbocharge" trainees' "professional and personal growth." KCL's Professor Dan Hunter highlighted the partnership as a fantastic opportunity for trainees to join a global legal community and benefit from KCL's expertise in digital law. Eligible trainees will include those from the firm's February 2026, August 2026, and February 2027 cohorts, with the first group starting this September.
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INTERNATIONAL

Glovo pauses contested heatwave bonus for couriers in Italy

Food delivery platform Glovo has suspended a "heat bonus" for its couriers in Italy amid criticism from labour unions and politicians. Glovo recently introduced the bonus, worth just a few euro cents per delivery and rising in step with temperatures, to compensate riders working during a blistering heatwave in which the government has issued a red alert for 18 cities. Labour unions criticised the scheme, saying it encouraged gig workers to continue riding their scooters during the fierce heat. "Glovo resolved to suspend at national level the bonus system for deliveries during the hottest hours of the day," the company said in a statement.

Gold miner accuses rebels of forcing employees to work against their will

Gold miner Twangiza Mining has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of forcing its employees to work under duress and without pay after seizing control of its mine in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The company reported that its workers are being "held in captivity, forced to work in inhuman conditions, without any security measure, remuneration or medical coverage." The mine's operations have been "paralysed," with Rwandan nationals allegedly exploiting the site for profit. Despite the claims, Rwanda's government spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, denied any involvement, saying: "Rwanda is not involved in this situation." A recent peace deal between Rwanda and Congo raises hopes for an end to ongoing violence that has resulted in significant casualties and displacement this year.

ING to cut jobs as it has ‘too many’ Managing Directors

Dutch banking giant ING is planning job cuts focused on senior staff, saying there are just too many of them. The lender wants to eliminate 230 roles across its wholesale banking division, according to a statement. The cuts “will be focused on Directors and Managing Directors in commercial, front office roles” as ING has “too many senior roles,” the bank said, adding that the cuts will be split proportionally across its locations.
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OTHER

New ruling protects vulnerable mortgage borrowers

The Supreme Court has ruled that One Savings Bank failed to investigate whether Catherine Waller-Edwards was under undue influence from her partner, Nicholas Bishop, when they took out a mortgage that primarily benefited him. The court highlighted the "damaging effects" of economic abuse, with Lady Simler noting that "legislation and greater regulation in this area suggest an increasing awareness and understanding of economic abuse as a form of domestic abuse." The ruling is seen as a "landmark shift in the law of undue influence," according to Joel Leigh, Waller-Edwards' solicitor. However, experts warn that the decision may lead to stricter lending practices, potentially increasing costs for borrowers. Eleanor Rowan, a law lecturer, emphasised the need for solicitors to receive training on economic abuse to provide effective advice.
 
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