Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Government must work to avoid widening north-south divide in decentralised employment support, Localis warns

The government must ensure plans to decentralise employment support to help get Britain back to work don’t open up a north-south divide in regional economic performance, a new report from Localis advises.

The warning is contained in a new research report from the think-tank entitled ‘Guarantee of potential: place-based employment support within a new local policy ecosystem’ which analyses how councils and combined authorities should rise to the challenge of delivering the biggest reforms to employment support for a generation and help achieve a national long-term target of an 80% national employment rate.

The report authors claim although northern areas which have higher unemployment and levels of economic inactivity have used the power of their devolution deals to address sub-regional economic disparities, when southern counties with stronger economies and increased capacity implement their own devolved powers, there's a risk these regional gaps may widen.

Similarly, if revised funding formulas or political attention favour the country’s big cities, coastal, rural and post-industrial parts of the country risk having their unique employment support needs overlooked, the study points out.

Localis investigated in ‘Guarantee of Potential’, how decentralization of employment might be advantageously used for the benefit of a distinctly localist approach to tackling worklessness and in line with the government’s agenda for devolution, public service integration and commissioning reform.

Report author and senior Localis researcher, Callin McLinden, told That's Businesss: “With record levels of economic inactivity and expedited devolution frameworks, local government is being asked to tackle worklessness with more responsibility, but lacks either sufficient capacity or resources to do so with confidence.

“This report sets out a practical roadmap for transforming fragmented employment services into coherent, integrated, and place-based support systems; linking health, skills, and jobs in a locally tailored but nationally coordinated framework achieved through strategic design and procurement.

"But without proper investment in local capacity, long-term funding certainty, and shared governance between Whitehall and localities, the potential to reduce worklessness risks becoming perpetually stunted.”

Ayden Sims, CEO, AKG, added: “This report arrives at a pivotal moment, as the UK grapples with persistent economic inactivity and the need for more inclusive growth and offers a compelling case for enhanced local ownership, not as a theoretical ideal, but as a practical and necessary shift in how we design, fund, and deliver employment services.

“The findings underscore the value in empowering local authorities and strategic partnerships to lead the charge in tackling worklessness, particularly in communities that have been historically less well supported via previous approaches. It also flags the importance of having this future support strike the right balance between local empowerment and trust, alongside a consistent national offer, underpinned by strong accountability frameworks.

“What stands out most is the report’s emphasis on integration, between employment, health, and skills and the recognition that good work is not just an economic outcome, but a determinant of wellbeing. The insights drawn from trailblazer regions and emerging local models show that when local leaders are given the tools and trust to innovate, alongside the practical support to ensure their visions can be realised and delivered, they can build services that are more responsive, more inclusive, and ultimately more effective.”

https://www.localis.org.uk

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Looking for a VPN for your Business? Best VPN Services UK 2025: Top-Rated VPNs for Privacy, Streaming, and Speed

Looking for the best VPN service in 2025? Whether you're in the UK or travelling abroad, a virtual private network (VPN) can enhance your online privacy, unblock streaming content, and protect you on public Wi-Fi. 

Tests were run on dozens of providers to bring you the top VPNs available this year.

Below is a breakdown of the five best VPN services for UK users in 2025, based on performance, security, value for money, and ease of use.

1. NordVPN – Best Overall VPN for 2025

Price: From £2.69/month

Trial/Guarantee: 30-day money-back guarantee

Free Offer: Up to 4 months free + £50 Amazon voucher (UK users)

Excellent speeds with NordLynx protocol

Unblocks all major streaming platforms

Advanced security including post-quantum encryption

Panama-based and independently audited no-logs policy

Compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux

Drawbacks: Limited torrent-specific servers and higher renewal prices if auto-renew isn't disabled.

Best deal: Save 76% on a 2-year plan and get 4 months free + £50 Amazon gift card.


2. Surfshark – Best Budget VPN for UK Users

Price: From £1.49/month

Trial/Guarantee: 7-day free trial + 30-day money-back guarantee

Unlimited devices

Fast speeds and strong streaming performance

Advanced features like Camouflage Mode and NoBorders

Available on all major platforms including routers and smart TVs

Drawbacks: Slightly cluttered interface and no post-quantum encryption.

Starter plan now just £1.49/month with 3 months free included.


3. ExpressVPN – Easiest to Use

Price: From £3.98/month

Trial/Guarantee: 30-day money-back guarantee

One-click connect, intuitive interface

Wide streaming access across 105+ countries

Top-tier security features including quantum-resistant encryption

Excellent customer support with 24/7 live chat

Drawbacks: Pricier than rivals and fewer bonus features at lower tiers.

Get 4 months free with the current 2-year plan.


4. Proton VPN – Best for Privacy and Global Access

Price: From $3.59/month

Free Version: Available with 10GB/month data cap

Trial/Guarantee: 30-day refund policy

Exceptional privacy protections

Secure Core double-hop routing

Port forwarding and P2P support

Access to Proton Mail, Drive, and Pass with Unlimited plan

Drawbacks: Customer support not 24/7 and slower OpenVPN speeds.


5. PrivadoVPN Free – Best Free VPN Option

Price: Free or from £1.11/month (paid plans)

Free Plan Includes: 10GB/month data, 13 server locations

No-cost option with essential VPN features

Based in Switzerland, with a no-logs policy

Streaming and torrenting supported on free tier

Drawbacks: Limited data, no ad-blocker, and no third-party audit.


How to Choose the Best VPN in 2025

When selecting a VPN, UK users should consider:

Privacy and encryption protocols

Streaming capability (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, etc.)

Speed and server performance

App usability across devices

Customer support and refund policy

Verdict: What’s the Best VPN Service in the UK for 2025?

Best Overall: NordVPN

Best Value: Surfshark

Best for Privacy: Proton VPN

Easiest to Use: ExpressVPN

Best Free VPN: PrivadoVPN Free

For anyone in the UK looking for reliable privacy, streaming access, and safe browsing, these are the top VPNs to consider in 2025.

https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=126827&url_id=902

https://go.expressvpn.com/c/6364313/1462856/16063

https://go.getproton.me/SH1iL

Over Half of UK Office Workers Suffer with Back Pain Due to Poor Workstation Setup, Survey Reveals

Fellowes UK, a leading specialist in manufacturing ergonomic office equipment, established in 1917, has released concerning findings from their online survey of over 1,000 UK office workers, revealing failings in workspace ergonomics and employee wellbeing.

According to the survey, only one in three UK office workers believe their employers are getting the basics right when it comes to desk work and employee health. 

Even more worryingly 27% of survey respondents also reported their workplaces have never undertaken a workstation risk assessment.

Darryl Brunt, who is the Sales & Marketing Director at Fellowes UK & Ireland, expressed serious concerns about these survey results, telling That's Business: "These statistics are really deeply troubling. UK businesses have a legal duty of care towards their employees' wellbeing and must provide workstation risk assessments to ensure their workforces are comfortable and properly supported at their desks."

The survey reveals a disturbing trend in workplace related pain, with 51% of office workers experiencing back pain when sitting at their workstation. To help reduce back pain while sitting at their workstation in the office, 42% of respondents believe additional back support would be beneficial.

The research also uncovered that office workers personal lives are being impacted by their workstation related pain, with over a fifth of respondents experiencing physical pain whilst making everyday movements, requiring regular pain relief medication to cope. 

Findings indicate office workers aged 35 - 44 years old are more likely to take time off than any other age group, due to pain caused by their workstations.

When hybrid office workers work from home, many don’t work at a desk, the survey highlighted. In fact, 21% work from any available surface and 19% work from the sofa. Back pain was reported to be a bigger issue for those working from home, with 59% of respondents sharing that this is their biggest source of discomfort or physical pain, due to their work set-up.

"These are shocking figures that need to be brought to the attention of UK business owners and HR departments," said Darryl Brunt. 

"This issue must be addressed now to help reduce workstation related discomfort and pain. In turn, this will help businesses reduce employee absence rates whilst boosting morale and productivity across their workforces."

Only 22% of survey respondents believe their employers are investing in the right ergonomic equipment to support employee health. When given the right ergonomic equipment, 89% of office workers shared that they noticed a positive impact on their health, motivation and productivity levels.

Darryl Brunt emphasised the importance of providing adequate workstation equipment: "By carrying out thorough workstation risk assessments, UK businesses can gain insights into the exact equipment each employee requires to feel supported at their desk, allowing them to be as comfortable and productive as possible while they work."

Fellowes UK continues to champion workplace wellbeing through its range of ergonomic solutions designed to support healthier working environments.

For more workstation research findings, download the whitepaper here:-https://www.fellowes.com/uk/en/marketing/pg/worklife-coach-ergonomics

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Monday, 7 July 2025

Thursday, 3 July 2025