Makerfield by-election & Labour leadership: Andy Burnham’s win for the Labour seat is being framed as a fast-track to a leadership challenge to Keir Starmer, with Starmer insisting he won’t “walk away” and warning of disruption. UK labour market snapshot: ONS estimates put unemployment at 4.9% and show payrolled employment down slightly year-on-year, while job vacancies are reported as falling to the lowest level in years. Local jobs support: Belfast’s St George’s Market job fair (24 June) brings 70+ recruiters and council training programmes for people moving into work or upskilling. Skills & apprenticeships: Skills England publishes the operational rulebook for reformed apprenticeship assessment, including new guidance and performance descriptors. Employment hit in childcare: Glasgow’s Clever Clogs Nursery closes in liquidation, with all nine staff made redundant. Workplace wellbeing gap: A Gateshead report says people diagnosed with autism/ADHD face weak post-diagnosis support, including barriers for 18–24s and over-50s. Public sector/HR pressures: BBC plans to cut 550 news jobs as part of cost-saving changes. Cyber & professional services: Law firms are flagged as a top target for cyberattacks, with attackers using phishing and quiet data theft. Higher education & employability: University of West London opens Sri Lanka’s first full UK branch campus, aiming to boost access to UK degrees and job-ready skills.