Businesses face pay structure adjustments amid a minimum wage hike
From 1 April 2025, the UK’s national living wage rises to £12.21 per hour for over-21s, with similar increases for younger workers. HR insight firm Brightmine reports that nearly 60% of businesses must adjust wages, with 74% expecting pay compression challenges. Employers are revising pay structures, upskilling staff, or enhancing benefits to retain employees.
Despite concerns over national insurance hikes, business sentiment is improving, with companies optimistic about permanent hiring. Recruitment and Employment Confederation data suggests medium-sized firms are particularly confident about workforce expansion over the next year.
Farage defends merit-based hiring and criticises DEI policies
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stated that men are more willing to sacrifice family life for career success than women, contributing to workplace disparities. Speaking in Parliament, he emphasised that jobs should be awarded on merit, not characteristics like gender or race. Farage praised Donald Trump’s push to end DEI policies, arguing they create unfair advantages.
He acknowledged the historical dominance of white men in business, attributing it to past societal norms. Addressing Reform UK’s male-skewed support, he claimed young men favour conservatism and resist societal “feminization.” Farage also dismissed Elon Musk’s support for Tommy Robinson as a disagreement.
Consumers are sceptical about AI making purchases, Survey Finds
An Omnisend survey of 1,026 U.S. shoppers reveals that while AI-powered assistants are gaining traction, most consumers still prefer purchasing independently. Only 34% would let AI buy on their behalf, highlighting a trust gap between AI’s capabilities and consumer confidence. Concerns over data privacy (50%), poor AI recommendations (39%), and a lack of human support (40%) fuel scepticism.
While shoppers appreciate AI’s speed and personalisation, they resist fully autonomous purchasing. Experts suggest retailers must prioritise transparency, better communication, and AI-assisted—not AI-controlled—experiences to build trust and improve consumer adoption of AI in shopping.