Job creation and losses

Closer alignment with the EU was becoming an urgent priority for many businesses, the IoD poll found.

The UK’s construction firms cut jobs at the fastest rate for four years in March as the sector’s downturn in activity continued.

JCB has said it will expand its US operations in response to President Trump’s tariffs – with the effect on UK jobs as yet unclear.

‘Exporters to the US will be forced to review the viability of the US as a destination for their goods, and as a supply chain location.’

Three Sky call centres in the north of England are to be closed and another two reduced in size, with around 2,000 job cuts.

WH Smith as a brand is set to disappear after it agreed to sell its 480 high street shops to private equity firm Modella Capital.

There were no further surprises for employers in today’s Spring Statement as they prepare for next week’s minimum wage and national insurance increases.

Today’s Spring statement did much to add cost and regulation to employers, and not enough to support growth and skills, observers say.

Morrisons announces it will close cafés, meat and fish counters, and convenience stores to help mitigate significant cost increases.

The chancellor Rachel Reeves will cut around 10,000 civil service jobs as part of drastic cuts to government running costs.

The UK is an international outlier when it comes to economic inactivity, a new government-commissioned report has found. 

Ahead of an interest rate decision today by the Bank of England, the figures show wage growth including bonuses at 5.8% – broadly unchanged in the three months to January.

Santander has announced plans to close 95 branches across the UK, putting 750 jobs at risk.

The UK jobs market is showing signs of greater stability with some employers "feeling more ready to hire", new data suggests.

The UK jobs market is “in recession territory” and the Chancellor must act decisively ahead of the spring statement, a think tank warns.