
A CIPD survey of 1,059 UK reward and HR decision‑makers reveals that 22% of employers have no clear objectives for employee benefits. While 77% link benefits to at least one goal—most commonly retention (44%) and engagement (37%)—only 31% connect them to productivity or broader business performance. Additionally, 15% never review benefits against these objectives, and among those that do, just a third say the benefits fully meet the set goals. Flexible working is viewed as the most effective lever, yet only 40% of firms currently offer it.

Accenture announced that regular use of artificial‑intelligence tools will be a visible factor in promotion decisions for senior roles. The firm is now logging weekly AI‑tool access, including its proprietary AI Refinery, as part of talent discussions. It has already...

London boutique Mishcon de Reya has deployed an AI‑powered chatbot to conduct first‑round graduate interviews. The tool, built by Bright Network, pulls data from each applicant’s submission to generate a customized conversation and produces a transcript for the firm’s early‑careers...

A Freedom of Information review of 142 NHS trusts reveals a sharp rise in staff referrals to bailiffs over payroll overpayments, climbing from 1,807 cases in 2020‑21 to 2,683 in 2024‑25. Since 2020, trusts have made an average of 50,770...