Employment Rights Update: The DWP has confirmed major sick pay changes, removing the Lower Earnings Limit and expanding Statutory Sick Pay coverage to up to 1.3 million more low-paid workers, with further rules affecting people on benefits. Bereavement Leave: A new bereavement leave rule is now in force, changing eligibility for paternity leave when a child’s mother or adopter dies and removing the old six-month service requirement. Pensions: Labour has launched a consultation on defined benefit pension surpluses, aiming to give trustees more flexibility to use excess funds while protecting savers. AI Skills in HR: Shoosmiths is setting aside a second £1m bonus pot and rolling out an AI fluency accreditation framework for staff. Work & Welfare Support: Connect to Work early stats show 14,000 starts and over 1,000 people helped into secure employment, with expansion planned. Business Closures: A 101-year-old ceiling specialist, Zentia, has collapsed into administration, making most of its 170 staff redundant. Visa/Skills: The UK is considering easing Skilled Worker salary thresholds, potentially opening more routes for skilled professionals, including Nigerians. Retail Jobs Pressure: Independent retailers warn rising employment costs are cutting entry-level roles for young people as NEET numbers pass one million. Data & Early Years: The government has launched a National Data Library with an early years “kickstarter” to connect health, education and childcare data to help children be school-ready. CMA Watch: The competition watchdog is investigating Ryanair’s “mandatory family seat” charges for parents.