Tesco Boss Warns of Joblessness 'Epidemic' in UK
Ashwin Prasad, head of Tesco UK, cautions that Britain is 'sleepwalking into a quiet epidemic' of unemployment, with rates at a four-year high and benefits spending rising.
Ashwin Prasad, head of Tesco UK, cautions that Britain is 'sleepwalking into a quiet epidemic' of unemployment, with rates at a four-year high and benefits spending rising.
New research reveals 1.7 million state pensioners choosing to work past retirement age contribute £60bn annually to the UK economy, far exceeding the triple lock's projected cost.
Industrial action at KP Snacks' Teesside factory could disrupt production of Hula Hoops, McCoy's, Pom Bears and Discos, raising concerns about supermarket shortages.
Supermarket giant Aldi announces 500 new job opportunities across the West Midlands, offering apprentices market-leading pay starting from £12.02 per hour and unique benefits including paid breaks.
The Department for Work and Pensions confirms the state pension age will increase from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and March 2028, affecting those born after April 1960.
Birmingham bin workers have voted to extend their strike until at least September 2026, protesting pay cuts of up to £8,000 and poor working conditions imposed by the council.
Dudley Council's gender pay gap has decreased to 2.7% following a reduction in lower-paid female part-time roles, though median figures reveal a wider disparity of 9.9%.
HMRC urges 758,000 young people to claim their Child Trust Funds during National Apprenticeship Week, with average claims worth £2,242 in tax-free savings.
Major UK supermarket group Ocado is planning significant redundancies affecting up to 1,000 positions as part of a renewed cost-cutting initiative following a challenging year.
Lidl has unveiled its seventh pay increase since 2023, raising entry-level pay to £13.45 per hour nationwide from March 2026, positioning itself as the highest-paying UK supermarket.
A major report reveals over 700,000 UK graduates are unemployed and claiming welfare, with a 46% rise since 2019, highlighting a critical skills mismatch in the education system.
Birmingham and Solihull lead a new national Jobs Guarantee with a £75m construction skills package aiming to train 12,000 workers and tackle youth unemployment.
Around 300 DHL logistics workers at Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull plant are being balloted for strike action after the company failed to present a pay offer for 2026, potentially causing severe disruption.
New data reveals UK vacancies rose in late 2025, marking the first year-on-year increase in six quarters, though millennials account for 76% of payrolled employment reductions.
A Martin Lewis follower successfully reclaimed over £12,000 in missing holiday pay from her employer, highlighting crucial workplace rights and tax deadline advice.
Forty-six eCourier drivers delivering NHS samples are taking legal action, alleging they have been wrongly classified as self-employed and denied basic employment rights.
More than 60 jobs across Plymouth and the West Midlands have been safeguarded after Clarity Group acquired NDB Engineering and Cofast from administration, securing the future of the fastening supplier.
The GMB union condemns Amazon's plan to eliminate 16,000 roles globally, including hundreds of UK corporate positions in London and Manchester, questioning the company's commitment to workers.
A Centre for Social Justice report reveals 6.2 million full-time employees would earn more from welfare than wages, highlighting a growing 'why work?' syndrome threatening fiscal stability.
Lloyds Banking Group announces comprehensive AI Academy training for all 67,000 employees, aiming for 100% AI literacy by 2026 to enhance workplace skills and customer service.
A Tyneside recruitment specialist has been rescued through a pre-pack administration sale, preserving 11 permanent positions and 80 temporary roles despite substantial creditor debts.
New figures reveal just 6.9% of Universal Credit claimants found work monthly in 2025, the lowest rate since 2019, sparking political criticism and defence spending concerns.
The Department for Work and Pensions unveils a major £1.5 billion investment strategy, including paid work placements and local job fairs, to help young people into employment.
Global delivery giant UPS confirms plans to cut 30,000 jobs and close 24 warehouses in 2026, representing 6% of its workforce, as part of a major network overhaul.
Official figures reveal a seven-year low in welfare claimants securing employment, with only one in fourteen moving into work monthly. Political criticism mounts as DWP defends its initiatives.
A third major 'megapicket' protest by bin workers is taking place across Birmingham, causing ongoing disruption to waste services in the city in early 2026.
Up to 400 legal claims are being prepared against Birmingham City Council by bin workers in a bitter 13-month dispute over role deletions and pay cuts.
Diagrama Foundation is recruiting a permanent care farm instructor at Duckyls Farm near East Grinstead, blending farming, animal care and support for adults with learning disabilities.
Sainsbury's reveals a 5% pay increase for hourly-paid colleagues, raising national rates to £13.23 and London rates to £14.54 from March 2026, with full-time staff gaining over £1,200 annually.
Supermarket giant Tesco confirms plans to eliminate 380 roles across UK stores while centralising bakery operations and installing new in-store facilities at 100 Express locations.