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Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreConsumer confidence took a step back in...

Consumer confidence took a step back in August as job security worsened to its weakest level for more than three years, according to new figures.The closely watched S&P Global UK consumer sentiment index slipped to 42.9 for the month, compared with a previous four-month high of 43.4 in July.Any reading below 50 indicates that sentiment remains broadly negative.Maryam Baluch, Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “The recent better growth seen in the economy is failing to feed through to households.“The latest survey shows labour market concerns emerging as a growing drag on consumer confidence.”The latest survey showed that job security data dropped to a reading of 45.6, the lowest since April 2023.It was the third consecutive month where surveyed Britons highlighted increased concerns over the UK labour market.Later this week, the Office for National Statistics will unveil the latest official jobs market data, which has highlighted a continued slowdown in vacancies in recent months.Elsewhere, there was a slight improvement...

Retailers warn that higher costs and labour reforms could reduce flexible job opportunities. / Credit: SALMONNEGRO-STOCK via Shutterstock UK retailers are backing Saturday jobs and other flexible entry-level roles as a way to tackle rising youth unemployment, warning that higher employment costs and changes to employment law could reduce opportunities for young people entering the workforce. The call follows Alan Milburn’s Young...

Employers cut the number of job vacancies in June, according to official figures that highlight the UK’s “fragile” economic outlook amid the conflict in the Middle East.Job vacancies fell to 712,000 – almost half the level in 2022 – as employers put off hiring new staff in the three months to May, the Office for National Statistics said.Separate figures showed unemployment remained at the same level in May as in April, at 4.9%, showing the tough task ahead for Andy Burnham as he seeks to inject renewed vigour into the economy.The new prime minister has promised to raise living standards across all regions as part of a 10-year economic plan, due to be unveiled later this year, but the latest pay data showed private sector earnings growth dropped to 2.9% to leave the average rise in earnings, including bonuses, at 4.3%.Economists had forecast a rise in average pay with bonuses in the three months to May of 4.5%, up from...

Wia dis foto come from, jackyenjoyphotographyPublished 10 October 2025Read am in 4 minsDi United Kingdom migration advisory committee (MAC) don publish new report of 82 mid-skilled jobs wey fit qualify foreigners for temporary visa under di migration pathway, dis move go address di kontri labour shortages. Di Home Office, report identify key roles essential wey go strengthen di UK economy, as part of di govment efforts to manage pipo wey wan migrate into di kontri while sustaining economic growth.Inside di report, di 82 jobs from di MAC dey part of di Britain Temporary Shortage List and dis na di first stage review.B1 level na di required level of English language proficiency for foreigners.Dis na new way to allow foreigners work for short period for UK, and e no fit lead to permanent residence becos di visa go only last for 3-5 years.UK goment believe say di Temporary Shortage List na ways to target immigrants wey get di skills and address...

The UK government has released a report identifying 82 mid-skilled jobs that can be filled by foreign workers under a new temporary visa pathway. The move is aimed at addressing critical labour shortages across the country. The Home Office report highlights essential roles that will strengthen the UK economy while allowing the government to manage migration and sustain growth. The 82 jobs recommended by the MAC are included in the Britain Temporary Shortage List, marking the first stage of a wider review. Foreign applicants are required to have a B1 level of English proficiency. This pathway allows foreigners to work in the UK for a limited period of three to five years, without leading to permanent residency. The government views the Temporary Shortage List as a tool to target skilled immigrants and address shortages in specific sectors. MAC has recommended that the visa duration for these roles remain between three and five years. Visa holders can also transition to higher-skilled positions (RQF 6+) through...

Britain’s jobs market appears to have entered a “low-hire, low-fire” freeze, creating stagnation that could affect everyone from school-leavers to professionals. But unlike recessions characterised by mass layoffs, this scenario represents a market in which workers cling to their jobs while newcomers find the door shut. The number of job vacancies paints a stark picture. For 39 quarters in a row, they have fallen, with just 717,000 open roles by mid-2025. This is well below pre-pandemic levels. According to one survey, only 11% of British businesses plan to hire staff – compared to 28% last year. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget in November attempted to address the UK’s fiscal challenges. But it risks deepening the weakness in vacancies through measures that increase the tax burden on both workers and businesses. Three factors help to explain why the UK jobs market is gridlocked, and how recent policy changes have left employers with tough choices. 1. Growing employment costs There has been a fundamental shift in the...

The United Kingdom is expected to create more than 3 million jobs in the next 10 years. This growth is happening because of economic recovery, new infrastructure projects, digital development, and an ageing population. Due to skill shortages in many sectors, the UK is increasingly hiring foreign professionals to meet workforce needs. As one of the world’s largest economies, the UK offers many job opportunities in sectors like healthcare, IT, engineering, construction, finance, and education. Employers are actively recruiting fresh graduates, experienced professionals, and skilled workers from other countries to fill important roles. For international professionals, these job opportunities also lead to UK work visas, long-term settlement options, and permanent residency pathways, making the UK an attractive choice for building a global career.   Why apply for Jobs in the UK? Work in a strong and stable economy Earn good salaries in high-demand jobs Gain internationally recognized work experience Enjoy a good work-life balance and strong employee rights Get opportunities to work with global companies and innovation hubs Access to...

The UK is losing more jobs than it is creating because of artificial intelligence and is being hit harder than rival large economies, new research suggests.British companies reported that AI had resulted in net job losses over the past 12 months, down 8% – the highest rate among other leading economies including the US, Japan, Germany and Australia, according to a study by the investment bank Morgan Stanley.The research, which was shared with Bloomberg, surveyed companies using AI for at least a year across five industries: consumer staples and retail, real estate, transport, healthcare equipment and cars.It found that British businesses reported an average 11.5% increase in productivity aided by AI. US businesses reported similar gains, but created more jobs than they cut.It suggests UK workers are being hit particularly hard by the rise of AI, as higher costs and taxes also weigh on the job market.Unemployment is at a four-year high, as rises in the minimum wage and employer...

The combination of a sharper than usual seasonal drop in asking prices and employers holding firm on both hiring and firing adds to the case for a cautious Bank of England, which has kept rates on hold since December 2025. Weak housing momentum alongside soft hiring intentions points to a consumer backdrop that remains fragile, a dynamic likely to weigh on sterling and keep gilt yields anchored to dovish rate expectations into official labour data due Tuesday. The London-versus-north divergence in house prices also reinforces a narrative of an economy healing unevenly rather than broadly, which could complicate the BoE's read on underlying demand. Markets are likely to treat both data points as reinforcing rather than new information, given confidence readings have sat near post-pandemic lows for some time.--- Britain's housing market and labour market are both losing momentum at once, sharpening the case for a cautious Bank of England.Summary:Rightmove reported UK asking prices fell 2.0% in the four weeks to...