a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb; } tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6; } tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5; } Artificial intelligence continues to reshape the UK’s business landscape, with many finance leaders expecting the technology to have an even greater impact on workforce planning over the next 12 months. According to…
What Sport Can Teach Engineering About Talent, Performance & Breaking Barriers Sport and engineering have more in common than many people realise. Both industries rely on talent, dedication, innovation, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure. Recent discussions across the sporting world have highlighted several themes that resonate strongly within engineering and manufacturing:…
📈 What a 0.4% quarterly expansion actually means This growth rate suggests three things about the UK’s current economic position: Economic stabilisation — After a long period of sluggish output, the economy is showing signs of steadying rather than slipping back toward recession. Sector‑driven recovery — Manufacturing, construction, and professional services have been the quiet…
Living alone often costs significantly more than living as a couple, and many single adults are now teaming up with friends to buy property or share major expenses — a shift driven by affordability pressures and rising living costs. 💸 What the “singles tax” actually looks like Higher annual living costs — Single Britons pay…
LinkedIn Reveals Fastest-Growing Skills UK Professionals Need to Stay Ahead New insights from LinkedIn highlight the rapidly evolving skillsets shaping the UK employment market, with artificial intelligence, leadership and communication capabilities leading the way. LinkedIn’s latest Skills on the Rise list identifies the fastest-growing skills that UK professionals should be developing to remain competitive in…
University degrees are increasingly losing the automatic advantage they once offered, as the growing number of graduates has diluted the job security and social mobility traditionally associated with higher education. Shitij Kapur, President of King’s College London, suggests that global competition among graduates and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence have transformed degrees from a…
The UK’s National Energy System Operator (NESO) has announced a major shake-up to accelerate the transition toward lower-carbon energy.A long-awaited reform will now prioritise the most advanced power generation and storage projects, cutting through years of frustration caused by stalled or “zombie” applications blocking the grid connection queue. This new approach aims to: ⚡ Speed…
Reacting to the Chancellor’s recent pre-Budget news conference, it’s clear that businesses are eager for supportive measures rather than additional financial burdens. Jonny Haseldine of the British Chambers of Commerce highlighted crucial points: – Businesses aim to grow the economy, reduce inflation, and boost productivity. – Yet, rising costs make this goal challenging. – Increasing…
— Stability Brings Cautious Optimism for Industry The UK’s annual inflation rate held firm at 3.8% in September, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) — marking the third consecutive month of stability and defying expectations of a rise to 4%. For businesses across the engineering and manufacturing sectors, this…
Airbus’ A320 family is poised to become the world’s most-delivered commercial aircraft, overtaking Boeing’s long-standing lead with the 737 series. According to aviation consultancy Cirium, and reported by Bloomberg, the European manufacturer is now just 20 units away from surpassing Boeing’s lifetime total of 12,175 aircraft deliveries. Boeing has held the top spot for nearly…
Today’s Industrial Strategy marks a vital turning point for businesses across the UK — from SMEs to major manufacturers. A more stable, supportive environment for growth and investment is long overdue, and this blueprint offers welcome clarity on the road ahead. Action on energy costs will be a relief for electricity-intensive sectors. A more flexible…
The UK’s next generation of nuclear power stations will be designed and built by a British company, creating thousands of skilled jobs, boosting the UK supply chain, and driving economic growth. After a rigorous two-year selection process, Great British Nuclear has confirmed that Rolls-Royce SMR has been chosen to lead the future of Small Modular…
The UK Strategic Defence Review (SDR), published 2 June 2025, sets out a bold, long-term vision to respond to an increasingly dangerous global security landscape. With war in Europe, heightened Russian aggression, daily cyber threats, and rapid advances in military technology, the UK must now prepare for a new era of modern warfare. The SDR…
Working parents are sharing their views on parental leave on LinkedIn, following news that the Princess of Wales inspired Deloitte to change its policy on paternity leave. The global accounting firm now offers new fathers six months of full paid leave. The Princess of Wales urged other businesses to follow suit, although some called the…
The current state of remote working in the UK reveals a distinct divide based on skill level, age, and geography. Despite the rapid shift to remote work during the pandemic, 52% of UK workers still never work from home, according to recent research. However, this percentage drops significantly—to 29%—for highly skilled professionals, who are still…
Business confidence in the North West dipped slightly in March, but it’s still ahead of the UK average for the eighth month running, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Key points: – Confidence dropped by two points to 59% in March – Confidence in business prospects increased by four points to 64% –…
Today’s news regarding President Trump’s tariff announcement could have a profound impact on UK-made cars. While it’s not surprising, it’s certainly a cause for concern. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has highlighted the urgency for the UK and US auto industries to engage in productive talks. Here’s why this matters: – The…
Liang Wenfeng is the antithesis of Silicon Valley flashiness, and his DeepSeek AI breakthrough has knocked “peak tech bro” culture down a few pegs, acccording to an op-ed in the Financial Times. The Chinese startup’s “Sputnik moment” — creating much cheaper high-performance artificial intelligence — “returns an air of conservatism and introspection to a landscape…
If you want to try something new in your career, be sure you have the time and hunger to succeed. That’s the advice of British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton told LinkedIn’s Andrew Seaman that he doesn’t “do anything by halves”, but with limited time away from the track, he chooses “partners and projects…
Artificial intelligence engineer tops this year’s LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise list – a data-backed ranking of the 25 fastest-growing jobs over the past three years. As AI continues to disrupt the labor market and hiring landscape, the list highlights areas of opportunity and sustainable growth in today’s world of work. There are roles signaling…
Celebrating National Engineering Day 2024! Today, we honour those engineering role models who have left an indelible mark on society and continue to inspire future generations. This year’s spotlight is on the innovative, creative, and resilient professionals who make significant contributions to our industry. Notably, we’re recognising the essential roles played by women, LGBTQ+ engineers,…
Political leaders across the UK and Europe, along with global executives, have responded on LinkedIn to the 2024 US election outcome, where Donald Trump was elected as the 47th president of the United States. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended his congratulations to President-elect Trump, joining messages of support from Ursula von der Leyen, President…
, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her first budget speech, marking Labour’s return to fiscal policy after 14 years. Her address emphasized economic growth and budget responsibility, introducing substantial tax changes and a fresh approach to government borrowing. Here’s a breakdown of some key shifts in UK fiscal policy: Major TaxYesterday Increase: The chancellor plans a…
**Royal Navy Launches Latest Astute Class Submarine – Agamemnon** ⚓ The Royal Navy’s newest Astute Class submarine, *Agamemnon*, has been launched at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Named after the legendary Greek king, *Agamemnon* is the sixth of seven Astute Class submarines, all designed and built at the Barrow shipyard. The 97-metre nuclear-powered vessel,…
**JLR Invests £500m to Transform Halewood Factory for Electric Vehicle Production** ⚡ Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a £500m investment to modernise its historic Halewood plant, originally built in 1963. This transformation will enable the parallel production of electric vehicles (EVs), alongside current combustion and hybrid models. With £250m already invested, the site has…
OpenAI, the AI powerhouse behind ChatGPT, is reportedly in discussions with investors to raise $6.5 billion, boosting its valuation to a staggering $150 billion, according to Bloomberg. This marks a huge leap from its $86 billion appraisal earlier this year. Thrive Capital is leading the latest funding round, while major players like Apple and…
Manufacturers and Unions Unite for UK Industrial Strategy In a powerful alliance, the UK’s trade unions and manufacturing leaders are urging the government to act swiftly on launching a long-term industrial strategy. Following Keir Starmer’s decisive election victory, there is a critical need for clear action to attract global investment and secure the future of…
Reducing the working week by one day, with the same pay, is gaining traction in Europe, Fortune reports, with some organisations adopting the policy to attract talent. Trials show it can lead to more rested and less stressed workers. But a four-day week for all might still be some time away. While shorter…
Gareth Southgate has resigned as manager of England’s men’s football team, following their defeat in the Euro 2024 final. He has held the position for eight years, leading the team to three major tournament finals. On LinkedIn, members paid tribute to his empathy and leadership style, and praised his achievements on and off the pitch.…
UK Manufacturing Leads the Charge in Digital Transformation Great news for the UK manufacturing industry! A recent report revealed that our sector is embracing digital transformation at an impressive rate. Nearly all manufacturers (91%) are implementing or planning smart factory initiatives to optimize operations and boost efficiency. This digital revolution is driven by a…
The UK Engineering and Manufacturing Industry, the associated Supply Chain, and SME Community are urging for better representation within the UK Government to create a strategic plan for prosperity and industrial success, not just for the next election but for our future generations. Clink the link and confirm your e-mail address to support this.
The UK has introduced legislation to boost the security for internet-connected devices in a bid to address the escalating risks posed by the ubiquity of smart gadgets in homes. The new law, dubbed the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) regime, imposes mandatory requirements on manufacturers, such as robust password practices, clear vulnerability reporting procedures,…
British industry will build 15% by value of each of the 3,000-plus planned F-35s, creating and sustaining more than 20,000 jobs across the UK. From the Martin-Baker ejection seat to the Cobham refuelling probe and BAE Systems-built horizontal tails, every F-35 has British parts incorporated from nose to tail. Ultra Electronics, Collins Aerospace…
Companies are reevaluating their use of facial recognition and fingerprint scanning for tracking employee attendance, following new enforcement actions by regulatory bodies. In February, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) instructed a Serco subsidiary to cease using biometric data for attendance monitoring in its leisure centres, after discovering unlawful processing of data belonging to over…
The UK has signed a landmark agreement with the US on artificial intelligence, the Financial Times reports. The agreement – signed on Monday in Washington by UK science minister Michelle Donelan and US commerce secretary Gina Raimond – will see the allies formally cooperate on how to test and assess risks from…
“Productivity isn’t everything, but, in the long run, it is almost everything,” Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman once quipped. It’s a phrase that’s been doing the rounds in Europe recently as new figures show that the continent’s productivity gap with the US is widening. It’s a point of concern because “real wage growth…
Meta says it will label more AI-generated images on its platform ahead of the 2024 election season. The social media giant is working with tech companies such as Google and OpenAI to design invisible metadata or “watermarks” that identify photorealistic images made with their artificial intelligence tools. Meta, which already labels its own AI-generated images,…
Scammers using artificial intelligence technology to manipulate photos and videos is troubling authorities around the world, who are “growing increasingly concerned at the sophistication of deepfake technology,” says CNN. Thinking a request had come from his company’s chief financial officer in a video call, a Hong Kong employee recently remitted the equivalent of about $25.6…
More than 250 millionaires and billionaires have written to global leaders at the World Economic Forum saying they would be “proud to pay more” tax on their wealth. It comes after a survey of more than 2,300 people from G20 countries with more than €919,000 (£788,000) in investable assets found that 74% supported taxes on…
The way companies hire is changing, with qualifications becoming less important and hiring managers’ focus shifting to skills. LinkedIn data shows that a broader shift towards skills-first hiring has the potential to open up the talent pool available, particularly in sectors experiencing labour shortages. Skills-first hiring could also open up a wider range of roles…
An ambitious new Amazon program plans to train workers in AI skills, reports The Wall Street Journal. With “AI Ready,” Amazon hopes to train2 million people in “tech and tech-adjacent roles” by 2025, in a bid to gain on the likes of Google and other tech giants in the scramble for talent. The program will…
Are you among the third of Brits who celebrate Christmas intending to purchase a second “show tree” this year? And when do you plan on buying it? New research from John Lewis sheds light on changing Christmas habits, including a longer lead-time between putting up decorations and the big day itself. The extension of…
Startups are following a different set of “rules” today compared to in 2020 and 2021 when venture capital money was easier to come by. Today, the focus is on profitability as opposed to growth. That means many founders are being forced to cut costs wherever possible including on office space, headcount and marketing budgets.
A growing number of baby boomers – those born between 1946 and 1964 – are working beyond retirement age for a combination of personal and economic reasons. In the UK, the Office for National Statistics found the number of over-65s still working rose to 1.47 million in June 2022 – an all-time high. With longer…
UK government interest payments on the national debt has reached the highest level in two decades. The increase in government debt and the amount spent on servicing it is raising concerns about the potential diversion of funds from critical public services and infrastructure projects. Experts tell LinkedIn News UK that higher debt can slow growth…
Why do women choose to quit the workforce after putting in decades to develop their knowledge and skills? In an excerpt from her book Revolting Women: Why midlife women walk out (and what to do about it), Dr Lucy Ryan gets to the root of why women step sideways or opt out just as they…
UK workers are suffering from “toxic”, stressful conditions and are taking more sick days than at any point in the past 10 years, according to new research. The Chartered Institute for Personnel Development (CIPD) has found that UK workers took on average 7.8 sick days in the past year – up from the pre-pandemic average…
Are you a workaholic? In this excerpt from her book MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your “Enough”, author Manisha Thakor says that we tend to confuse our self-worth with our net worth. For 30 years, Thakor’s pursuit of work, money and prestige left her feeling isolated and joyless. Reflecting on how this relentless obsession…
We are conditioned to believe that we can succeed if we just worked harder and longer. The endless loop of “Zoom, eat, sleep, repeat”, however, can lead to burnout and send morale plummeting. In this excerpt from his book Effortless, author Greg McKeown suggests a counterintuitive strategy to make essential tasks effortless. Instead of…
An overbearing boss is one of top signs of a toxic workplace, research shows. And micromanagement is not just bad for team morale, but can also stifle innovation and productivity, says Julia Milner, professor of leadership at EDHEC Business School. Often, those doing the micromanaging can believe they’re coaching the team, but their behaviour ultimately…
At some point, most of us struggle with confidence or impostor syndrome, resulting in decision paralysis or poor choices. In an excerpt from his book The Confidence Map, author Peter Atwater urges us to rethink our idea of confidence and to explore its role in the choices we make. Real confidence, says Atwater, is different…
Rising interest payments are putting UK companies at a higher risk of missing their debt payments, the Bank of England has warned. Analysis by the UK’s central bank found half of all non-financial companies could experience debt stress by the end of the year, up from 45% in 2022. Medium-sized firms – those…
The UK manufacturing sector was the largest contributor to production output in June 2023, which in turn was the largest contributor to GDP growth, according to the latest ONS figures. The UK economy grew by a modest 0.5 per cent in June 2023, following a fall of 0.1 per cent in May. The largest contributor to…
State pensions costs in Britain are expected to hit £135bn by 2025, which is £2bn higher than education, policing and defence combined, according to an analysis of official figures by The Times. The growth in pension costs is partly down to an ageing population and a guaranteed annual increase, known as the “triple lock”.…
The UK economy showed surprising resilience in the second quarter between April and June, growing 0.2% despite rising interest rates. This marks a slight pickup from near-stagnant growth in previous quarters, though GDP remains below pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, the growth has led markets to believe that more interest rate hikes could follow from the Bank…
The Great Resignation, a period of record-high quit rates that began during the pandemic, may now be over, the BBC reports. Professor Anthony Klotz, who coined the trend in May 2021, now says, “we’re at the tail of it.” New data suggests resignation rates in the UK are normalising to pre-pandemic levels. Experts say economic…
Do you feel exhausted trying to be your best self at work and at home? Do you feel you could use some new insights on how to balance your personal and professional lives? LinkedIn News UK spoke to four wellbeing experts about how they create sustainable boundaries for themselves and their colleagues, and how organisations…
High street chain Wilko warned it was on the brink of collapse last week, putting 400 stores and 12,000 jobs at risk. Since the announcement, retail analysts on LinkedIn have been sharing their thoughts on what went wrong. Retail Economics’ chief executive Richard Lim points to how household goods have been one of the main…
We all know how devastating the COVID-19 pandemic has been – and it could have been even worse if not for the efforts of scientists and health workers around the world. But what if we could get a heads-up on the next most dangerous variants of a virus before they become a global threat? Well,…
Do drones have an important role to play in rural deliveries? Royal Mail thinks so. The organisation has started trialling the unpiloted aerial vehicles with drone firm Skyports on Scotland’s remote Orkney Islands. Drones will carry letters and parcels from Stromness, a relatively populous town and part of Mainland Orkney, to the islands of Graemsay…
Is the UK talking itself into decline? UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt recently rejected the “declinist narrative” as potentially self-fulfilling. In her Financial Times analysis, economist Soumaya Keynes examines whether pessimism about the UK economy is justified or making economic problems worse. She cites studies that suggest optimistic narratives can sometimes boost hiring, investment and consumer…
Many large corporations in the finance sector are having to navigate the shift to hybrid work models post-pandemic. While some, like HSBC, plan to downsize their offices, investment banks including JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs want workers back at their desks. While flexible work arrangements – which most employees prefer – can boost productivity and…
‘Greedflation’ is a term widely used to describe companies exploiting high inflation to increase their profits. Throughout the cost of living crisis, supermarkets have faced accusations of inflating prices beyond the rising costs of raw materials and wages. Most recently, Unilever – maker of Marmite and Magnum – has come under greedflation scrutiny. Despite selling…
Having a best friend at work makes the job more fun, with studies showing that it increases retention and leads to greater employee satisfaction. But bonding with colleagues has become harder for many people in the new world of work – and some employers worry that is harming company culture and operations. In a recent…
Productivity in the UK has been stagnating since the 2008 financial crisis, lagging behind many other comparable economies. Successive UK governments have tried to solve this puzzle but with little success so far. According to the Financial Times, lower productivity rates can be attributed to the country’s longstanding problems like low investment and skills gaps…
Amazon announced on July 21 it will build a satellite processing facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Last year, the delivery giant announced the “largest commercial procurement of launch vehicles in history” for the launch of its 3,200 Project Kuiper broadband internet satellites. Amazon secured 77 heavy-lift rocket missions to deploy its satellite constellation, designed to…
How is artificial intelligence going to shake up gaming in the coming years? Will the technology make games more realistic, more exciting, more addictive or all of the above? AI has been in video games for decades. In Pacman, which landed on arcade machines in the 80s, AI was used to tell the ghosts how…
In today’s fast-paced world, workers often find themselves putting in long hours and sacrificing their personal lives for their jobs. This approach is not sustainable and can lead to physical exhaustion, burnout and mental health problems over time. To keep going at a steady pace instead of running yourself into the ground, it’s vital to…
There’s a new data point in the flex work debate. According to researchers at Microsoft (LinkedIn’s parent company), the average work day contains three “peaks” during which keyboard activity spikes: one each in the morning and afternoon, and a third around 10 p.m. The last shift is likely workers compensating for the 4-to-6-p.m. “dead zone,”…
A survey has highlighted the growing struggle that parents face with summer childcare in Britain, citing increasing costs and gaps in availability. The average cost for six weeks of holiday childcare has risen to £943 for each school-aged child, up 3% on 2022, according to the data from the Coram Family and Childcare survey. The…
Industrial valve manufacturer introduces AM to oil and gas
Recognizing your employees for their achievements is a powerful way to boost their motivation, engagement, and performance. But how do you do it effectively and authentically? Here are some tips to help you create a culture of recognition in your team. Be specific and timely The first rule of recognition is to be specific and…
Feedback is essential for learning and growth, but not everyone welcomes it with open arms. Sometimes, you may encounter resistance, defensiveness, or hostility when you try to share your insights or suggestions with someone you mentor. This can be frustrating and discouraging, but it doesn’t have to derail your relationship or your goals. In this…