Employment & HR - Government Events

The Rise in Unemployment and the Risk of a “Broken Ladder” Emerging

6 minute read

Mar 2026

It was recently reported that the UK unemployment rate rose to 5.2% going into 2026. This is the highest rate in 5 years. On its own, this number isn’t that worrying, but when looking at this through the lens of young people, there is a risk of a broken ladder emerging. This rise in unemployment has been gradual. Over recent quarters, job vacancies have fallen, wage growth has slowed and the number of people competing for each role has increased.

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Behind the Statistics: Strangulation and the Reality of Violence Against Women

8 minute read

Feb 2026

Last year, violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the UK was declared a national emergency by the police. This violence is everything from domestic abuse, harassment and sexual assaults. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse, and 1 in 3 women will suffer sexual assault in their lifetime. These statistics show the depth of this issue, and how important it is that changes are made to education, support and justice systems to ensure victims are protected. In 2022, new government legislation turned strangulation and suffocation from being included in charges like assault or bodily harm into stand-alone offences which can be punished accordingly. It highlighted the growing realisation that strangulation is a deep enough issue that it warrants recognition as a violent act.

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Ending Youth Homelessness: The Role of Schools and Local Councils

6 minute read

Feb 2026

Last year, around 118,000 young people presented themselves to their local authority in need of housing support. This is a worrying statistic. Yet it is one that with proactive steps, can be greatly reduced. It was one of the big topics at the recent National Homelessness Event 2026, which brought together industry experts and passionate speakers to explore how we can support the homeless and reduce the rate of people entering homelessness in the UK. It was a powerfully moving day, where great conversation, networking and learning took place. One of the stand out sessions was Stephen Elder’s case study, ‘Preventing Youth Homelessness Before It Happens – Working in Schools to Identify and Support Children at Risk’.

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Developing a More Diverse and Modern Construction Industry: The CITB Case Study

8 minute read

Nov 2025

Construction is one of the most male-orientated industries in the UK. Only around 15% of the construction workforce are women. CITB expects 251,500 extra construction workers will be needed by 2028 to meet the expected levels of work, so a push to engage more women in the industry will lead to a more efficient and diverse workforce. Julia Stevens from the CITB recently attended our Women in Construction Conference. She called for a renewed effort to break down the barriers and drive inclusion in construction. This article explores her keynote, the challenges women often face and the changes companies can make to more effectively engage and retain women.

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Supporting Disadvantaged Students: ‘IntoUniversity’ and the Challenges of getting into Higher Education

8 minute read

Aug 2025

How can we truly level the playing field for disadvantaged students? At our Supporting Disadvantaged Students in Higher Education Conference, Dr Emily Magrath from IntoUniversity shared powerful stories and practical solutions for breaking cycles of disadvantage. From early intervention to local collaboration, her insights reveal what’s working, where challenges remain, and how universities, charities and […]

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Mind in Motion: How Movement Transforms Mental Health at Work

6 minute read

Jun 2025

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, conversations around mental health are no longer a luxury, they’re a necessity. At the forefront of this movement is Matt Balfour, a wellbeing content creator, public speaker, Samaritan volunteer, and the founder of Let’s Go Wellbeing. His mission is simple yet profound: to help organisations build healthier, more engaged workforces […]

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Improving Sepsis Detection and Patient Outcomes: The Power of Ward Champions and Training Innovation

7 minute read

Jun 2025

Jay Townsend┃4 mins┃May 2025 In the ongoing effort to improve sepsis outcomes, education, collaboration and innovation remain crucial. With this in mind, Michael Nertney, Chair of the UK Sepsis Practitioner Forum and a clinical educator at South Tees NHS Foundation Trust, spoke at our recent Sepsis Patient Care Conference 2025. His session focused on enhancing […]

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Articles

Complete Change Management Guide for HR Managers

6 minute read

Sep 2024

Change is inevitable in any organisation's lifecycle; 70% of UK organisations have experienced significant change in the past two years (CIPD). With the fast-paced nature of today's business environment, organisations must adapt to survive and thrive. HR professionals play a critical role in managing this change effectively.

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Articles

5 Key Skills For Women to Kickstart their Career Progression

8 minute read

Sep 2024

Rachel Holloway, the Chief Executive & Founder of Partners for Reform, shared her insights at the Women in Public Sector Leadership Conference. Rachel is an executive coach and educator specialising in management and leadership. She is skilled at inspiring enthusiasm for learning and development and passionate about helping emerging female leaders position themselves for seniority. Rachel […]

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Videos

Suicide Prevention Strategy for England: The Latest Government Guidance

5 minute read

Sep 2024

Verity Mallion, the Suicide Prevention Lead at the Department of Health and Social Care, delivered an insightful keynote at our National Suicide Prevention Conference 2024 on the latest government guidance and updates aimed at reducing suicide rates and improving support for vulnerable individuals.

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Videos

Fostering Growth Through Reciprocal Mentoring: Building Mutual Success

4 minute read

Sep 2024

Mott MacDonald, a global engineering consultancy, has taken proactive steps to address EDI challenges within the sector through a unique Reciprocal Mentoring scheme. This initiative is led by Anna Sirmoglou, the UK and Europe Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager, and has significantly contributed to building a more inclusive culture while developing future leaders.

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Videos

Enhancing Workplace Inclusion: A Guide by AbilityNet

4 minute read

Sep 2024

Lizzie Green, a digital inclusion consultant at AbilityNet, shared insights on building inclusive workplace practices at our Recruitment in the Workplace Conference 2024. Passionate about making assistive technology accessible to all, Lizzie has progressed through various roles within the organisation and now leads the development and delivery of workplace inclusion services.

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