Blogs

IES analysis of this month's Labour Market Statistics, published February 18th 2025.

In the light of significant increases in remote, hybrid and flexible working since the COVID-19 pandemic, Helena Saenz de Juano Ribes explores how this trend has brought into focus the inequalities between job roles, areas of work and different industries.

In the light of concern about equality and diversity goals being shelved, Jonny Gifford considers the importance of HR leaders holding true to their commitments and values around DEI.

Zofia Bajorek and Jonny Gifford reflect on recent IES research that analysed how the UK compares with 14 EU countries in long-term ill health and employment.

Helena Saenz de Juano Ribes considers the imbalance in job demand when comparing London to both Birmingham and Manchester, and highlights how remote working and shifting business practices could provide a much-needed boost to these regions.

Futurologists suggest we should abandon the traditional jobs mindset and re-structure HR processes to be wholly skills-based. Based on IES' research, Duncan Brown endorses the direction of travel towards a stronger emphasis on skills, but suggests three more practical actions to progress.

Nick Litsardopoulos takes an in-depth look into the reasons behind the major changes to UK salaries since the COVID-19 pandemic, and why some industries have experienced significant disruption while others have shown remarkable resilience.

As the clock runs down on the implementation of the EU’s Pay Transparency directive, and the subject dominates listings of HR priorities for 2025, Duncan Brown reminds us of an experiment in real pay transparency and the benefits and risks involved.

Nick Litsardopoulos takes an in-depth look at the increase in the cost of consumer goods in the UK since the start of the pandemic and the corresponding rise in inflation, how the job market and pay levels have responded to this, and the disparities between the two.

Following a recent Parliamentary roundtable discussion on the role of careers guidance in national economic growth, Alison Carter reflects on how careers guidance services can best be developed further to help fill the potential gaps in the future UK labour market.