Small Business Tax Push: The Federation of Small Businesses urges Chancellor John Healey to cut employment taxes and business rates in the 28 October Budget, including raising England’s 100% Small Business Rate Relief threshold (from £12,000 to £25,000) and boosting employer support like a Statutory Sick Pay rebate. Hiring & Pay Pressure: Usdaw calls for faster employment reforms for young workers, including equalising the National Minimum Wage from age 18, guaranteed-hours contracts, and stronger protections around AI at work. Budget Uncertainty Hits Confidence: The CBI warns private sector activity is expected to weaken in the final quarter as demand stays soft and Budget uncertainty weighs on firms. Care System Funding Shake-up: At Labour conference, Andy Burnham outlines an NHS-style National Care Service in England, funded by changing the state pension triple lock from 2030—sparking fresh political backlash north of the border. Immigration Rules for Sponsors: Government guidance sets a strict 60-day deadline for foreign workers when an employer’s sponsor licence is revoked, with harsher consequences for those deemed to have contributed to the breach. AI in the Workplace: BBC director-general Matt Brittin says he received a “pretty good” AI-generated Doctor Who episode, reigniting debate about AI’s impact on jobs and creative work. Skills & Training Jobs: The Guardian plans 40 new “digital journalist” roles with training for content-creator skills.