How Company Formation Trends Are Reshaping UK Hiring in 2026
Company formation in the UK has accelerated, creating a wave of lean, tech‑enabled startups that are reshaping the talent market. These new firms are driving a shift toward flexible work, rapid career progression, and equity incentives, forcing traditional employers to adapt. Hiring speed has become a critical differentiator, with decisions now made in days rather than weeks. The overall effect is a fragmented, skills‑focused job market that operates on a global, remote‑first model.
Nottingham City Council Launches a Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme with Tusker
Nottingham City Council has launched a new ultra‑low emission vehicle salary‑sacrifice scheme in partnership with Tusker, targeting its 7,000 eligible employees. The program lets staff lease electric or hybrid cars with insurance, servicing and charging access deducted from payroll over...
The Return of the Cost-of-Living Crisis? Steve Herbert Considers the Implications for HR
Steve Herbert warns that a new cost‑of‑living crisis could emerge as U.S. sanctions and conflict in the Strait of Hormuz threaten oil supplies, pushing global energy prices up 50%. A 10% oil price rise typically adds 0.4% to inflation, meaning...
AI-Powered Benefits Platform Origin Raises $30 Million Series A+, Bringing Total Funding to over $50 Million to Tackle the Growing...
Origin, an AI‑native benefits platform, announced a $30 million Series A+ round, lifting its total funding to over $50 million. The capital, led by Notion Capital with participation from Felix Capital and Acadian Ventures, will accelerate its Enterprise Benefits Intelligence platform, co‑created with...
Beat the Afternoon Slump with These Simple Desk Hacks
A recent UK survey shows 65% of workers suffer a sharp post‑lunch focus drop, often tied to prolonged sitting. Geezers Boxing’s personal trainer Leon Bolmeer recommends six quick desk‑exercises—leg lifts, chair twists, desk push‑ups, seated marches, shoulder shrugs, and calf...
CUCKMERE BUSES UPGRADES FLEET SAFETY AND DRIVER PROTECTION WITH SURECAM’S DUAL-VIEW DASHCAMS
Cuckmere Buses, a community transport provider in East Sussex, has upgraded its 16‑seater minibuses with SureCam’s next‑generation dual‑view dashcams. The new system adds a rear‑facing camera with anti‑glare housing, live video streaming and improved tracking accuracy. The upgrade replaces a...
Why Connected Worker Strategies Are Leaving Workers Behind
Manufacturers have poured billions into PLM, ERP and MES systems, yet shop‑floor workers still rely on static PDFs and printed checklists. The digital thread breaks at the “first mile” of capturing engineering knowledge and the “last mile” of delivering it...
BI WORLDWIDE Releases Recogdemption Report Unveiling Science-Backed Approach to Employee Engagement
BI WORLDWIDE released the "Recogdemption" report, a science‑backed framework linking recognition, redemption, and retention. Analyzing data from nearly one million employees in 118 countries, the study finds early recognition and a $200 reward threshold dramatically boost engagement. It identifies two redemption...
UKG Named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape for AI‑led Workforce Management and EMEA Compliance
UKG has been named a Leader in IDC’s 2025‑2026 EMEA AI‑Enabled Workforce Management and Compliance MarketScape, highlighting its AI‑driven platform used by over 80,000 organizations worldwide. The assessment praises UKG’s ability to simplify multi‑country scheduling, ensure GDPR‑aligned data sovereignty with...
Conduct Independent Compliance Audits With These 5 Providers
Independent compliance audits are becoming essential for modern organizations, offering objective assessments that uncover hidden risks in HR, finance, and regulatory practices. Providers such as Guidepost, Exiger, Control Risks, Kroll, and Mintz Group combine forensic investigations, AI‑driven analytics, and global...
‘Greedy’ Corporation Slammed Over Planned Job Cuts
Encirc, a UK glass bottle maker for major beverage brands, faces strikes after announcing plans to cut 28 jobs despite reporting £191 million (≈$242 million) profit for 2025. Unite union members at the Elton, Cheshire plant scheduled walkouts March 28‑30 and April 3‑7, warning...
House-Building Apprentices Step up as Sector Faces 239,000 Worker Shortfall
The National House Building Council (NHBC) hosted its Apprentice of the Year Awards in Milton Keynes, recognizing standout apprentices such as Jack Hart, Bailey Johnson and Corree Lamb for excellence in bricklaying, groundworks and site supervision. The event highlights NHBC’s...
Bruton Knowles Reaffirms Commitment to People Development Through Investors in People Reaccreditation
Bruton Knowles has renewed its Investors in People accreditation, a benchmark it has held since 2000, confirming its dedication to workforce development. The three‑year reaccreditation evaluates nine people‑management indicators, from leadership to sustainable success, through surveys and confidential interviews with...
Two in Five UK Employers Say They Don’t Have Enough Staff to Get the Work Done
The SD Worx survey of 305 UK employers shows that 43.3% lack enough staff to meet workload demands, highlighting a widening labour shortage. Workforce planning has risen to a top priority, with 59.7% of organisations rating it critical and 30.4%...
Queclink Launches High-Spec Trailer Tracking Solution
Queclink Wireless Solutions announced the GV651, a hard‑wired trailer tracker built for harsh environments. The device combines LTE Cat 1 with 2G fallback, dual‑band GNSS, and an optional external antenna for reliable positioning. Its IP67/IP69K‑rated housing, reinforced connector, and 5800 mAh backup...
Navigating the Latest Apprenticeship Funding Changes
The UK government will cease funding for 16 apprenticeship standards, chiefly leadership and management programmes, by December 2026, redirecting resources toward technical and project‑focused training. The move aims to address national skills shortages while preserving a broad apprenticeship ecosystem. Simultaneously,...
Competition for Marketing Roles Increases
The marketing talent pool grew 5.6% to 1.07 million candidates, yet the number of applicants per role jumped 26% to 92, while advertised positions fell 8.2%. Employers are shifting toward senior hires and relying on AI to cover junior responsibilities. This...
CTrack Brings AI-Enhanced Software Platform to the UK for Intelligent Fleet and Asset Management
Ctrack has launched its AI‑enhanced platform Crystal in the UK, extending a global rollout after acquiring Inseego’s telematics business. The modular solution combines telematics, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to deliver real‑time insights, driver‑behaviour monitoring and workflow automation for fleets...
Moving at Speed with the AI Multiplier: Cornerstone Launches AI-Powered Course Assistant and Adaptive Learning Agent
Cornerstone OnDemand unveiled the Spring 2026 Evolution of Cornerstone Galaxy, adding an AI‑Powered Course Assistant and Adaptive Learning Agent. The assistive and agentic tools embed contextual intelligence into learning, letting employees ask questions in‑session and receive role‑specific content recommendations without extra...
New INTOO/Harris Poll Study Reveals Innovation Paradox in the American Workplace
A Harris Poll study for INTOO finds 74% of U.S. workers are expected to innovate, and 78% say they regularly submit new ideas. Yet 64% wish they were more innovative, and 41% fear being fired for mistakes, revealing an “innovation perception...
Only 14% of Employees Are on Track to Retire when Planned
Flagstone’s new study finds only 14 % of UK employees are on track to retire at their desired age and income, with an average 22‑year gap between the targeted age of 61 and the projected retirement age of 83. The shortfall...
BI WORLDWIDE Launches Elevate Intelligence in EMEA to Support Enhanced Employee Recognition
BI WORLDWIDE has launched Elevate Intelligence, an AI‑powered suite of agents that automate and personalize employee recognition across the employee lifecycle. Built on agentic AI, the agents proactively identify recognition moments, suggest awards, and generate celebratory messages, reducing administrative friction....
One in Three Neurodivergent Workers Feel Their Employer Does Not Cater to Their Needs at Events
New research from Center Parcs Conferences & Events shows neurodivergent employees are attending more workplace events, with 42% reporting increased participation over the past three years. Yet 30% say their employers fail to accommodate their needs at these gatherings. An...
AI Mistrust Is Making Work Slower, Not Faster – UK Employees Spend Almost as Long Checking AI as Using It,...
A Censuswide survey of 1,000 decision‑makers in UK large organisations finds employees spend almost as much time checking AI outputs as they do using the tools – averaging 2 hours 41 minutes on AI and 2 hours 30 minutes on verification each week. The verification burden...
The Trends Redefining Expense Management in 2026
Capture Expense’s latest report, based on 371,000 UK expense claims worth £60 million across 460 organisations, shows expense management shifting from back‑office task to strategic infrastructure. Slow approvals—only 2.6% immediate and 42% taking over a week—pose regulatory risk under new FRS 102...
Most UK Employers Unprepared for Employment Rights Act as 64% of Workers Receive Rotas with No Audit Trail, UKG Finds
UK research by UKG shows 64% of frontline workers receive rota updates via informal channels lacking audit trails, exposing employers to compliance risk under the Employment Rights Act 2025. The new law mandates reasonable notice and compensation for last‑minute schedule...
Spotted Zebra Launches AI Interview Agent: Bringing Skills Science to Every Candidate Conversation at Enterprise Scale
Spotted Zebra unveiled its AI Interview Agent, an enterprise‑grade hiring tool that conducts live, adaptive two‑way interviews using validated Role Skills Profiles. The platform delivers transparent, evidence‑based scores with audit trails, operates 24/7 on any device, and meets ISO 42001 and...
College’s New Green Skills Innovation Centre Will Inspire Employers to Raise Sustainable Technology Expertise
Wiltshire College & University Centre opened a £500,000 Green Skills Innovation Centre in Chippenham, backed by the Shared Prosperity Fund and Good Energy. The facility features teaching bays for solar PV, heat pumps, battery storage and smart‑home systems, plus an...
Motocross Champion Becomes First Apprentice to Qualify as NHBC Launches Its First Multi-Skill Construction Training Hub in Staffordshire
NHBC launched its first multi‑skill construction training hub in Lichfield, part of a £100 million programme to open twelve sites and train up to 3,000 apprentices annually. The inaugural cohort achieved a 93% pass rate, far above the 53% industry average....
Average WFH Employee Wastes 5+ Hours Weekly to Distractions (More than 33 Working Days Annually)
A national survey commissioned by Make Room Outside found that 84% of work‑from‑home (WFH) employees are regularly distracted, losing an average of 63 minutes and 17 seconds each day. Social media scrolling tops the distraction list, followed by non‑work messaging...
New Report Strengthens Case for Investing in Employee Networks
The 2026 Radius Global ERG Impact Report, based on 700+ survey responses and 38 case studies, shows that 96% of organisations continue investing in employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are delivering measurable benefits, with 89% linking them to employee wellbeing...
HowNow ‘Excels’ on the 2026 Fosway 9-Grid™ for Learning Systems
HowNow has been named a Core Challenger on the 2026 Fosway 9‑Grid™ for Learning Systems, marking its third straight year in this tier. The analyst firm rates the vendor’s trajectory as “Excelling,” reflecting heightened innovation and market performance. HowNow also...
Personnel Checks Acquires Screening Provider Know Your Candidate in Six-Figure Deal
Personnel Checks Ltd, a Blackburn‑based background screening firm, has acquired Manchester‑based Know Your Candidate Ltd for a six‑figure sum. The purchase adds roughly 2,000 SME customers and expands the service portfolio to include Standard and Enhanced DBS checks, DVLA licence...
Everywhen Joins Global Employee Benefits Network, Asinta
Everywhen announced its exclusive partnership with Asinta, becoming the UK’s sole representative and one of three board members of the global employee benefits network. Asinta operates in more than 140 countries through 43 partners, serving 172,600 client companies and 16.3 million...
Renfrewshire Council Awarded Menopause Friendly Accreditation
Renfrewshire Council, Scotland’s ninth‑largest authority, earned Menopause Friendly Accreditation after a comprehensive programme supporting its predominantly female workforce. With 75% of its 8,500 employees women averaging 46 years old, the council introduced paid menopause leave, monthly “Let’s Pause” gatherings, and...
New University Comic Brings Menopause in the Workplace to Life
A new comic titled "Navigating Menopause in the Workplace" has been created by University of Aberdeen PhD researcher Chithramali Rodrigo and a cross‑disciplinary team to translate menopause research into an accessible visual format. The story follows Melanie’s journey from symptom...
Beat the Paperwork: The Simple Solution for UK Businesses Facing the 2026 MTD Deadline
The UK’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) regime will become mandatory for self‑employed individuals and landlords earning over £50,000 on 6 April 2026, with a lower threshold introduced in 2027. Fujitsu’s ScanSnap iX2500 scanner offers a PC‑free way to digitise receipts and invoices,...
64% of Finance Leaders Work Weekends Due to Inefficient Systems
A new AccountsIQ CFO Mindset report shows that 64% of finance leaders in the UK and Ireland regularly work evenings or weekends because their finance systems are inefficient. The survey of 1,000 senior finance professionals links poor software to unpaid...
Local Businesses and Employees Shine at BEST Awards
Bridgend’s Employability Bridgend team celebrated the first‑year results of its BEST (Bridgend Employer Support Training) programme at the BEST Awards on 18 February 2026. The initiative placed 50 local job‑seekers with employers, and 40 remain in their roles after six months of...
Quarter of Workers Planning Job Change This Year
A recent Ciphr poll of 2,000 UK employees finds 24% intend to change jobs within the year. Job‑hopping is strongest among workers under 45, with 32% of those under 34 and 30% of 35‑44‑year‑olds looking elsewhere. The top drivers are...
Partou Revamps Long Service Award to Celebrate Shared Success
Partou, the UK arm of the Netherlands' largest childcare group, announced a revamp of its long‑service award programme on March 9, 2026. The new scheme replaces the previous five‑year voucher model with recognitions at one, two, three and four years of tenure,...
Gary Neville Encourages Students to Apply Class of 92 Principles to Thrive in Today’s Graduate Jobs Market
Gary Neville, co‑founder of University Academy 92, urged undergraduates to adopt the "Class of ’92" mindset of character, resilience and relentless work ethic during a UCAS Discovery Q&A. He warned that in today’s crowded graduate market, technical ability alone no longer...
Female Business Leaders Admit Workplace Discrimination Is Still Widespread
A MyWorkwear‑commissioned survey of 101 senior UK women reveals that 69% still face gender‑based discrimination, and 70% feel unsafe at work. Security concerns, bullying and physical safety dominate the unease, while 62% report being forced to wear men’s‑fit PPE. On...
90% of Organisations Are Failing to Get the Most From Independent Talent, New Report Finds
A new Malt Freelance Maturity Report shows only one in ten companies strategically integrate freelancers, classifying them as "Trailblazers" while 56% are "Navigators" and 33% "Explorers." Mature firms report a 62% return on investment versus 36% for less‑mature peers and...
Why Virtual Offices Are Becoming a Strategic HR Tool for UK Businesses in 2026
Virtual offices have shifted from a cost‑saving option to a strategic HR tool for UK firms in 2026, enabling hybrid work, talent expansion, and operational agility. By offering a professional city address, mail handling and on‑demand meeting rooms, they preserve...
Almost a Third of UK Businesses Hit by Remote Working-Related Cybersecurity Breaches in the Past Year
Almost a third of UK businesses experienced a remote‑working related cyber breach in the past year, with phishing responsible for 85% of incidents. The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 shows larger firms are most affected, reporting breach rates of 67%...
AI Erodes Trust in Hiring as 40% of UK Employers Extend Probation Periods
Deel’s survey of 500 UK HR leaders shows AI‑generated applications are eroding trust in traditional hiring. Forty percent of employers have already extended probation periods, and 77 % say assessing authenticity before hire is harder. CVs and cover letters are now...
Cezanne HR Launches Cezanne Expenses, Giving Businesses Up to Three Hours Back Per Claim
Cezanne HR has introduced Cezanne Expenses, an integrated expense‑management module that promises up to three hours saved per claim. The solution combines mobile OCR receipt capture, mileage calculation and real‑time dashboards within the existing HR platform. Powered by Webexpenses, it...
The Secret Workplace Benefit Your Employees Didn’t Know Existed
Electric‑vehicle salary sacrifice in the UK surged 51% in 2024, now covering 40% of new EV registrations. While employees enjoy tax‑free vehicle costs, many still face high public‑charging fees, especially renters without home chargers. Extending salary‑sacrifice to cover charging can...
The Legal Implications of Hybrid Work Policies for Employers
UK employers are rapidly adopting hybrid work models to boost productivity and employee satisfaction, but the shift introduces complex legal obligations. Key areas of concern include data protection under GDPR, health and safety responsibilities for both remote and office settings,...