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Reeves lays ground for income tax rises
Rachel Reeves has indicated a willingness to raise income tax for the first time in 50 years, breaking manifesto pledges. In a pre-Budget speech on Tuesday, the Chancellor stressed the need for difficult decisions to address a £30bn financial gap, arguing: “If we are to build the future of Britain together, we will all have…
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Athens braces for 48-hour taxi strike
Athens taxi drivers plan a 48-hour strike on November 5–6 to protest government measures they believe threaten their profession. The Athens Taxi Drivers Union (SATA) demands the removal of restrictions on bus-lane access and a review of the mandate for all new taxis to be electric by 2025. SATA said: “This policy ignores the real…
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KPMG to assess staff AI use
KPMG is to evaluate how employees use AI tools during annual performance reviews. Niale Cleobury, KPMG’s global AI workforce lead, said the firm is already monitoring AI usage through tools like Microsoft’s Copilot. Starting in 2026, staff will be assessed on their achievement of AI objectives. “We all have a responsibility to be bringing AI…
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Airbus workers in UK to strike over pay
Workers at Airbus in the UK are set to strike for 10 days in September due to a pay dispute. Unite, representing about 3,000 members, announced the industrial action and says strikes will impact production of wings for both commercial and military aircraft. Sue Partridge, Airbus UK’s country manager for commercial aircraft, said: “We have…
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Judges face new security training mandate
Judges and magistrates are required to complete compulsory security training by March next year to protect themselves from violence in civil courts. Lord Justice Green emphasised the importance of the training, saying that threats can undermine judicial impartiality. The training includes role-play scenarios and guidance on physical security measures. A College of Policing expert has…
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Qantas hit with record fine for illegal pandemic layoffs
Australian carrier Qantas has been fined a record A$90m ($59m) for illegally sacking more than 1,800 ground workers during the pandemic. Australian Federal Court Justice Michael Lee said the outsourcing of 1,820 baggage handler and cleaner jobs at Australian airports in late 2020 was the “largest and most significant contravention” of relevant Australian labour laws…
