Search Results for: economy

Landfill tax will do nothing for the circular economy, trade body claims

Landfill tax will do nothing for the circular economy, trade body claims

by • Environment, Facilities management, News, Property

The landfill tax will make construction projects unviable. The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has released a short report titled ‘Going full circle: Making a circular economy work for builders’ which compares how other nations deal with waste in construction and makes eight recommendations for the UK Government to move toward and enable a circular economy. It makes eight recommendations in total, including the creation of digital records for buildings, the introduction of stronger incentives to reward recycling and reuse, an increase in landfill capacity, tougher action against waste crime offenders, and the retention of the existing disposal permit system. (more…)

Public sector productivity gap costs UK economy eighty billion pounds a year

Public sector productivity gap costs UK economy eighty billion pounds a year

by • News, Workplace

A widening gap in productivity between the UK’s public and private sectors is costing the economy around eighty billion pounds annually, according to new analysis from EYA widening gap in productivity between the UK’s public and private sectors is costing the economy around eighty billion pounds annually, according to new analysis from EY. The report, Mind the productivity gap, claims that if public sector productivity had kept pace with the private sector since 2019, the economy would now be three per cent larger. Instead, public sector productivity has fallen by over eight per cent since the pandemic. (more…)

Online gig economy is failing to meet even the most basic labour standards

Online gig economy is failing to meet even the most basic labour standards

by • Flexible working, News, Technology

Most of the world’s leading online gig economy platforms are failing to uphold even the most basic labour standardsA major new report from Fairwork, a research network backed by the University of Oxford and WZB Berlin that researches the online gig economy, suggests that most of the world’s leading online work platforms are failing to uphold even the most basic labour standards. The Fairwork Cloudwork Ratings 2025 assess 16 of the world’s most widely used online work platforms on five core principles: fair pay, conditions, contracts, management, and representation. (more…)

A better focus on workplace wellbeing could add around £1 billion to UK economy, report claims

A better focus on workplace wellbeing could add around £1 billion to UK economy, report claims

by • News, Wellbeing

The commission's report on workplace wellbeing argues that a proactive and preventive approach to employee health could prevent at least 100,000 people from exiting the workforce over the next five years, potentially saving the government over £1 billion during this period.Enhancing support for individuals with health conditions to remain in employment could lead to significant economic benefits for the United Kingdom, according to a new report from the Commission for Healthier Working Lives. The commission’s report on workplace wellbeing argues that a proactive and preventive approach to employee health could prevent at least 100,000 people from exiting the workforce over the next five years, potentially saving the government over £1 billion during this period. (more…)

Older workers will be essential in a changing global economy

Older workers will be essential in a changing global economy

by • News, Wellbeing, Workplace

A new report from consulting firm Bain & Company underscores the rising importance of older workers as global populations age and labour markets face growing talent shortagesA new report from consulting firm Bain & Company underscores the rising importance of older workers as global populations age and labour markets face growing talent shortages. The study focuses on the demographic of employees aged 50 and above, whose experience, stability, and institutional knowledge make them invaluable assets to businesses. It reveals that while older workers often demonstrate adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and a strong work ethic, organisations frequently overlook their contributions due to outdated stereotypes and rigid employment practices. (more…)

UK startups economy relies on high quality immigration

UK startups economy relies on high quality immigration

by • Business, News

A new report highlights the significant role that high-quality immigration plays in driving business growth and innovationNew data suggests that 39 percent of Britain’s top 100 fastest-growing companies were founded by individuals born outside the United Kingdom, even though immigrants make up less than 15 percent of the overall population. The research, conducted by think tank The Entrepreneurs Network and supported by Fragomen, highlights the significant role that high-quality immigration plays in driving business growth and innovation. Previous research from 2019 showed an even higher proportion, with 49 percent of Britain’s top 100 fastest-growing companies having a foreign-born founder.
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Getting the long term unemployed back into work will transform the economy, says Government adviser

Getting the long term unemployed back into work will transform the economy, says Government adviser

by • News, Workplace

He argues that this approach is essential to address the unsustainable welfare costs associated with the long term unemployed and to mitigate the "toxic" reliance on immigrationThe rising costs of welfare and the country’s increasing dependency on immigration have become significant concerns, prompting a call for reform from a prominent government health adviser. Alan Milburn, a former health secretary, has emphasised the need for individuals with long-term illnesses and others stuck in a cycle of long term unemployment to actively seek employment. He argues that this approach is essential to address the unsustainable welfare costs associated with the long term unemployed and to mitigate the “toxic” reliance on immigration for the workforce. (more…)

Government says launch of Skills England will transform the economy

Government says launch of Skills England will transform the economy

by • News, Workplace

Skills England is intended to collaborate with central and local governments, businesses, training providers, and unions to address the skills needs of the next decade nationwidePrime Minister Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson have unveiled Skills England, an initiative designed to unify the fragmented skills landscape and foster a cohesive national ambition to enhance the nation’s skills. Richard Pennycook CBE, former chief executive of the Co-operative Group and lead non-executive director at the Department for Education (DfE), has been appointed as the interim Chair of the new body. (more…)

MIT professor pours cold water on the prevailing hype about AI and the economy

MIT professor pours cold water on the prevailing hype about AI and the economy

by • AI, News, Technology

A study by MIT economist Daron Acemoglu appears to challenge the prevailing optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its economic impactA study by MIT economist Daron Acemoglu appears to challenge the prevailing optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its economic impact. While many experts predict a future fuelled by AI-driven productivity booms and reduced inequality, Acemoglu’s research paints a more cautious picture. His findings suggest that AI’s impact on productivity and inequality may be far less dramatic than anticipated, and could even exacerbate the gap between the rich and the poor. (more…)

UK economy could get a £550 billion boost from AI by 2035, Microsoft claims

UK economy could get a £550 billion boost from AI by 2035, Microsoft claims

by • AI, News, Technology

A new report commissioned by Microsoft suggests that the UK economy could see a significant boost of £550 billion by 2035 if the country embraces artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technologyA new report commissioned by Microsoft suggests that the UK economy could see a significant boost of £550 billion by 2035 if the country embraces artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technology. The report, titled Unlocking the UK’s AI Potential, claims to highlight several ways the technology can benefit the UK economy. These include increased productivity, improved public services, and the creation of new jobs. (more…)

Productivity boost from volunteering ‘adds £4.6 billion to UK economy each year’ 

Productivity boost from volunteering ‘adds £4.6 billion to UK economy each year’ 

by • Business, News

Volunteering is delivering productivity gains worth billions to the UK economy each year, a new study claimsVolunteering is delivering productivity gains worth billions to the UK economy each year, a new study claims. The report by Pro Bono Economics (PBE), commissioned by national volunteering charity Royal Voluntary Service, estimates productivity gains worth at least £4.6 billion each year, or £4,551 per volunteer, arising from volunteering by those in professional and managerial occupations. The PBE report, titled?A pro bono bonus: The impact of volunteering on wages and productivity, stresses that these productivity gains would likely be even higher if the voluntary efforts of those in other job roles, as well as the benefits of volunteering to unemployed people, were taken into account. (more…)

Squirrel! Distraction costing the UK economy nearly £20 billion a year

Squirrel! Distraction costing the UK economy nearly £20 billion a year

by • Business, News

Scrolling on social media, checking messages, daydreaming and other forms of distraction are costing the UK economy £19.9 billion each yearScrolling on social media, checking messages, daydreaming and other forms of distraction are costing the UK economy £19.9 billion each year, new research from The QEII Centre claims. The report The Distracted Economy: We are losing focus – how to hold attention and keep delegates engaged during business meetings and events was commissioned by the London conference and events venue. It suggests that 83 percent of people admit to being distracted during in-person meetings while the number rises to 85 percent during online meetings. (more…)

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