Human Times

UK Edition

6th May 2026

THE HOT STORY

Graduate vacancies fall as hiring slows

Graduate job opportunities in the UK have fallen sharply, with vacancies down 34.9% year-on-year, according to Adzuna, as employers scale back hiring amid economic uncertainty and the growing use of AI. Despite this, some companies continue to invest in early careers, including Tesco, Whitbread, Halfords and Specsavers, which are all expanding their graduate schemes. Adzuna co-founder Andrew Hunter said that the jobs market was "stabilising, not recovering," adding "For jobseekers, that means the fundamentals haven't changed: [they should be] targeting applications carefully, using every available tool to stand out, and staying alert to the sectors - like teaching and domestic and cleaning - that are genuinely adding roles . . . The employers still investing in pay and headcount are telling us something important about where the real demand lies."

The Times

TAX

Referees win tribunal battle over tax status

A tribunal has ruled that a group of English football referees are not employees, rejecting HM Revenue & Customs' (HMRC) claims for tax purposes. The ruling followed a decade-long legal battle where HMRC argued that referees should be classified as employees due to their commitments to the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL). However, the tribunal found that the referees maintained significant autonomy and were not economically dependent on PGMOL. Peter McCormick, representing PGMOL, said: "This case will deter HMRC from pursuing other test cases." Dave Chaplin, chief executive of IR35 tax compliance firm IR35 Shield, added that this is "a decisive defeat for HMRC" and the tribunal "has dismantled many of HMRC's long-held assumptions about how status case law should be applied." HMRC is now reviewing its next steps.

Financial Times

City AM

HYBRID WORKING

Cricket club welcomes remote workers to do their jobs

Surrey County Cricket Club is encouraging hybrid workers to come and do their jobs at The Kia Oval, the club's 180-year-old ground just south of the River Thames. The club has upgraded its Wi-Fi and set aside work areas with desks, access to power and clear views of the game, and has assured would-be-workers that “we won’t tell your boss.”

The Independent

WORKFORCE

Welcome to the Great Hunkering Down

The FT's Sarah O'Connor reports on how employees’ propensity to quit has plunged since its peak in 2021 amid macroeconomic uncertainty and regular warnings about looming AI-induced job losses.

Financial Times

WORKPLACE

Channel 4 puts HQ up for sale

Channel 4 has officially listed its Horseferry Road headquarters for sale as part of a broader transformation strategy under new CEO Priya Dogra. The broadcaster aims to modernise operations and adapt to hybrid working patterns. The decision, first proposed years ago, reflects a shift towards a digital-first approach and a reduction in reliance on a central London base. Channel 4 plans to explore smaller office options while maintaining a presence in its Victoria offices for the next two to three years.

City AM

LEGAL

Odey accused of giving 'false evidence' to court

Hedge fund manager Crispin Odey is accused of submitting "false evidence" in his bid to overturn a lifetime ban from the City. Clare Sibson KC, representing the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), claimed Odey attempted to create a "false history" regarding his past misconduct. During cross-examination, Odey admitted to groping a staff member and described his behaviour as "bullying." The FCA banned him for a lack of integrity after he dismissed executive committees investigating misconduct allegations against him. The case continues.

The Times

The Daily Telegraph

REGULATION

Costs deter small firms from EU markets

The Federation of Small Businesses has warned that post-Brexit red tape and costs are driving smaller companies out of European markets. In a survey of 645 businesses, 30% indicated they might reduce or cease trading in the EU without eased regulations. Many small businesses reported issues with customs documentation (64%), physical inspections (21%), and product marking (17%).

The Times

INTERNATIONAL

China blames ‘foreign forces’ for rising number of disaffected youths

China's Ministry of State Security, the country’s spy agency, says foreign forces are seeking to “erode the minds of Chinese youths” by disseminating anti-work propaganda online. “The youth represent the future of the nation and are the primary targets for ideological infiltration by foreign anti-China hostile forces,” the ministry said in a post published on WeChat, the Chinese social media platform. The Wall Street Journal says the admonishment comes amid signs of weakness in China’s labour market including the growing gig-work economy and a rise in spending on unemployment insurance, according to Xiangrong Yu, Citigroup’s chief China economist. “The unexpected deterioration for early-career workers, who are likely more AI-exposed, seems to point to the unfolding AI-driven displacement,” Yu observed. “We believe the structural headwinds from AI adoption are set to intensify.”

Financial Times

South China Morning Post

Wall Street Journal

Saudi Arabia urged to ditch foreign labour system

UN rights experts have called on Saudi Arabia to abolish its kafala sponsorship system ahead of the 2034 World Cup, citing ongoing abuse and exploitation of migrant workers. Despite some easing of restrictions in 2021, many workers remain vulnerable. "Five years after the encouraging announcement of labour reforms, we continue to receive reports of abuse and labour exploitation of the estimated 16 million migrant workers in the country," the UN experts said in a joint statement. "Migrant worker deaths have allegedly occurred under unclear circumstances and without accountability. Wage theft, workplace violence, retention of identity documents and the imposition of extortionate recruitment fees are all reported to continue. These practices must stop." They urged Riyadh to ensure migrant workers can change jobs freely and receive full national labour protections, emphasising the need for accountability and safe reporting channels.

France 24

Humanoid maker 1X opens new US factory

OpenAI-backed, Norway-founded robotics startup 1X has opened a new 58,000-square-foot factory in Hayward, California. The company said the facility will have the capacity to build 10,000 robots in its first year, and plans to make 100,000 robots by the end of 2027 after completing construction of a larger manufacturing hub in San Carlos, California. Bloomberg notes that 1X’s “Neo” humanoid has generated a buzz for its soft, human-like body, which is designed to help with domestic tasks including folding laundry and tidying up. The model, which can talk and learn new skills over time, is currently available for pre-order at $20,000.

Bloomberg

India issues nationwide heatwave advisory to protect workers

As temperatures exceed 47°C in parts of India, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has mandated urgent safety measures for workers, especially those in outdoor roles. The advisory includes flexible work hours, cooling breaks, and access to drinking water. Suchita Dutta, executive director of the Indian Staffing Federation, emphasised the importance of these measures for worker safety and industrial productivity. The National Human Rights Commission has also urged states to protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat, highlighting the need for effective implementation of relief measures to prevent heat-related casualties.

Livemint.com

OTHER

More than 50 countries to work on trade measures to cut fossil fuels

The First Conference on Transitioning away from Fossil Fuels has concluded with more than 50 countries agreeing to work on trade measures aimed at cutting demand for fossil fuels. World leaders gathered in Colombia's Santa Marta last week for the first-ever global talks to accelerate the shift, a step participating nations said was not just a climate priority but vital for energy independence. The conference was announced last year after the failure of the official UN COP30 climate summit in Brazil to include an explicit reference to fossil fuels in its final deal. “The conclusion is unavoidable, we must transition away from fossil fuels - not just because it’s good for climate, but because it strengthens our energy independence and security,” said Stientje van Veldhoven, minister for climate policy and green growth for the Netherlands, which co-hosted the conference with Colombia.

Euronews

Financial Times

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