With new workers' rights on the way, no wonder employers prefer AI
Handing new rights and benefits to workers is all very well, but employers know those rights will mean more obligations, costs, distraction and risk to themselves. The bill is a hotchpotch of 28 different measures ranging from more rights for trade unions and a crackdown on zero hours contracts to more paternity leave and greater protection from unfair dismissal.
Employers, bluntly, are feeling a bit mugged. Those national insurance hikes in April were a significant blow for anyone with a big workforce. So, for some, was the parallel increase in the minimum wage — which has just been raised by 6.7 per cent.
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The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Massive offshore wind farm approved by Scottish Government
An offshore wind farm which developers say could be the world's biggest has been approved by the Scottish Government. Berwick Bank – proposed to be built off the coast of East Lothian – aims to deliver 4.1 gigawatts (GW) of capacity, which is believed to be enough to power every home in Scotland twice over and around 17% of the homes in the UK. The development will feature up to 307 turbines and have two connection points to the grid – one in Dunbar, East Lothian, and another in Blyth, Northumberland. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes welcomed the approval, saying the Government had given the application 'extremely careful consideration'. She said: 'The decision to grant consent to Berwick Bank is a major step in Scotland's progress towards achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis, as well as supporting national energy security and growing our green economy. 'It is also an important decision for Scotland's renewables sector, and this investment will be further built upon through the delivery of Scotland's significant future pipeline of offshore wind projects under the ScotWind and the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas leasing rounds. 'We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation – to minimise the impact of the development on the marine environment and other marine users – and balance the needs of people and nature.' Developers SSE Renewables will have to provide a plan to counter any impact the wind farm may have on seabirds to be approved by ministers. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the announcement means there have been enough wind farms approved in the UK to meet the Government's ambition of delivering clean power by 2030. 'We welcome this decision, which puts us within touching distance of our offshore wind targets to deliver clean power by 2030 – boosting our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower,' he said. 'We need to take back control of our energy and more offshore wind getting the green light marks a huge step forward in Britain's energy security and getting bills down for good. 'But we know there's a lot more work to do and we must go further and faster to get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels and make working people better off with clean, homegrown, secure power as part of our Plan for Change.' The UK Government aims to have between 43 and 50GW of energy capacity in offshore wind by the end of the decade, with 15.9GW currently online and a further 28GW having received consent. Stephen Wheeler, the managing director of SSE Renewables, said news of the approval is 'hugely welcome'. He added: 'At over 4GW of potential capacity, Berwick Bank can play a pivotal role in meeting the mission of Clean Power 2030 for the UK and achieving Scotland's decarbonisation and climate action goals. 'Berwick Bank has the potential to rapidly scale-up Scotland's operational renewable energy capacity and can accelerate the delivery of homegrown, affordable and secure clean energy to UK consumers from Scottish offshore wind, helping meet the UK's clean power ambition by 2030.'
The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Home sales jumped by 13% month-on-month in June, HMRC figures show
House sales jumped by 13% month-on-month in June, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) figures. Across the UK, it estimated that 93,530 home sales took place during the month, which was 1% higher than in June 2024. The report said the numbers 'reflect transactions recovering from the dip seen' following the ending of the temporary stamp duty thresholds. Stamp duty applies in England and Northern Ireland. Previous figures have indicated a rush of buyers completing sales before the stamp duty holiday ended. Nick Leeming, chairman of estate agency Jackson-Stops, said: 'While the surge in activity seen in March is unlikely to be repeated, the market remains steady for now, with completions progressing at a healthy pace, though regional variations continue to influence transaction timelines and completions. 'The full market picture is one that points to both an increase in demand as well as supply, with an upward trend of agreed sales likely to be reflected in figures in the coming months as mortgage affordability loosens. 'Across the Jackson-Stops network, our national figures show the mid to high end market remained steady in June, particularly across historically rich, well-connected market towns like Bury St Edmunds, Chichester and Colchester. 'We are seeing a seasonal uptick of prime country homes launch to market, reflecting sustained buyer appetite for areas that blend heritage with accessibility. 'Similarly, high completion levels in Colchester, Hale, Northampton and Sevenoaks highlight the continued demand for lifestyle-led, commuter-friendly areas.' Nathan Emerson, chief executive officer of property professionals' body Propertymark, said: 'It is extremely positive to see an uplift in the number of housing transactions for June 2025. 'Overall, the housing market is starting to see progression, especially following the recent upheaval of the stamp duty threshold changes.' Tony Hall, head of business development at Saffron for Intermediaries, said: 'With markets anticipating that the Bank of England will make two further interest rate cuts before the end of 2025, there are reasons to stay optimistic through the next few months. 'Steady buyer activity combined with anticipated rate cuts suggest a positive outlook heading towards the autumn.'
The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
BAT upbeat on sales as nicotine pouches surge in popularity
Lucky Strike and Dunhill firm British American Tobacco (BAT) has said strong demand for smokeless products such as nicotine pouches is set to help deliver sales growth at the top end of forecasts. In the first six months of 2025, the group added another 1.4 million new customers of smokeless products, which now account for 18.2% of group sales. It also saw sales and profit return to growth in the US market for the first time in seven years, helped by the launch of Velo Plus nicotine pouches, with this category seeing revenues soar by 384% to £105 million. Revenues overall lifted 1.8% on a constant currency basis to £12.1 billion in the six months to June 30, although underlying pre-tax profits fell 1.3% to £4.96 billion. British American Tobacco (BAT) said sales were now expected at the higher end of its full-year revenues guidance for growth of between 1% to 2%. It remains on track for annual profits to grow by as much as 2.5%. Shares in the firm hit their highest level since 2018 after rising by as much as 2% in Thursday morning trading. Tadeu Marroco, chief executive of BAT, said the first half was 'slightly ahead of expectations'. He added: 'I am very pleased with our performance in the US. 'Revenue and profit are both up for the first time since 2022 and, alongside the successful launch of Velo Plus, our combustibles volume and value share performance have returned to growth.'
