FSB Sounds the Alarm on the Hazy Job Market
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is essentially pulling up their own heads from the sand, demanding the government snap out of its creative dream‑state and deal with the latest numbers from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
What the ONS Just Unpacked
- Unemployment hit 4.7%. That’s a jump that could make spreadsheets feel emo.
- The payroll count dipped – fewer people are back in the office cupboards.
- Wage growth slowed to a crawl, so the pockets of many are getting less of a punch.
Tina McKenzie’s Take
Policy Chair Tina McKenzie called the figures “disturbing.” She argues that if you keep turning the cost and risk of hiring up the roof, the outcome is simply fewer jobs. With the benefits bill looming larger, the dream of a thriving, prosperous economy feels a mile away.
Key Points at a Glance
- Higher unemployment means fewer job prospects.
- Wage growth slowdown hurts consumer confidence.
- Government policy risk = job deterrent.
In a nutshell, the FSB is saying: “If you want more jobs, you’ll have to stop treating hiring like a risk‑ticking game and start making it attractive instead.” And that’s a vibe they’re looking to jazz up the nation’s economic scene.
Reeves hit with yet another bombshell as the economy shrinks further as the Autumn Budget approaches
Five Steps to Harness Adaptive Leadership in Turbulent Times
Picture a ship tossed by wild waves—your team is the crew, and the captain’s job is to steer through the storm. Adaptive leadership is the secret sauce that lets you stay on course no matter how choppy the waters. Below, we break it down into five bite‑size steps that even a coffee‑drinking, “I’ve got this” type can follow.
1⃣ Embrace the Unknown: Mind‑set the Flex Zone
When the future looks blurry, flex your brain muscles. Instead of gripping every possible outcome like a toddler grips a toy, adopt a mindset of probability not certainty. Reframe every challenge as an opportunity to learn—like figuring out the next playlist when your Wi‑Fi cuts out.
2⃣ Get Your “Why” Right on the F5
People jump to different answers when they feel cornered. Ask the classic leadership thermostat: “What are we really about?” (Your company’s vision, the mission, the spark that keeps you awake at night). Then, align every decision and delegation to that core. It’s your North Star that keeps the crew tethered when the horizon looks fuzzy.
3⃣ Assemble Your All‑Star Team
Don’t wait for a crisis to pull the squares of a chess board on the board. Build a diverse squad first—mix seasoned veterans with fresh thinkers, folks who work remotely & those from different departments. A mosaic of ideas is the best cocktail to tackle adaptive problems.
4⃣ Trial, Tweak, Triumph (The “Beta” Loop)
Throw a rough prototype into the fray. Gather real feedback and refine on the fly. Think of it like improv theatre: take the audience’s reaction (your stakeholders) and adjust the storyline. If you’re mid‑project and suddenly the market takes a wrong turn, pivot fast—no panic, just quick, data‑driven edits.
5⃣ Celebrate Wins, Learn (But Rarely Roll the Dice)
Every milestone is a dopamine hit. Team pep‑talks, shout‑outs, mini‑hand‑claps keep morale high. Document what worked and what didn’t like you’re keeping a diary. Pass those lessons into the next iteration of your plan. Adaptation isn’t a one‑off; it’s a marathon.
Remember: Adaptive leadership is less about staying rigid and more about staying resilient—keeping your crew engaged, your vision clear, and your strategies flexible. So next time you feel the tidal wave coming, you’ll have a playbook ready to turn the chaos into opportunities.
Firms ‘sound the alarm’ on the impact of the Chancellor’s ‘NICs and other employment costs’
Rachel’s Autumn Budget & the Job‑Loss Dilemma
The latest overhaul of the tax code and a pile of 28 new employment rules might feel like a fresh springboard for growth—if you’re a big corporation with deep pockets. What we’re really seeing is more of a “bushfire” that makes it hard for small businesses to keep their lights on.
What the Numbers Say
- Staff Turnover Surge: In Q2 2025, 20 % of small firms shed workers, while only 9 % added new hires.
- Projected for the next quarter: 19 % of businesses will cut staff versus 8 % that plan to grow.
- For the first time in the “Small Business Index”’s 15‑year run, 27 % of firms expect to shrink or close in the next year—outpacing the 25 % that anticipate expansion.
- Small firms firewire >16 million private‑sector jobs nationwide—any fewer and the whole economy feels the pinch.
Why It Matters
High job taxes, extra statutory demands and even a proposed hike in employer pension contributions aren’t the kind of incentives that make entrepreneurs smile. In fact, they’ll likely just make the cost of doing business a bit higher than the inflation‑adjusted wage hike they’d hoped for.
What the Government Should Do
- Grounded Policy: Base decisions on current official data instead of idealistic whispers.
- Re‑work Employment Rules: Trim the worst aspects of the new legislation to ease burdens on small firms.
- Affordable Sick Pay: Find ways to ensure statutory sick pay doesn’t trip the business budget.
- Fuel Entrepreneurship: Create a climate where people feel safe and excited to start their own venture.
In short, we need the government to “take its head out of the sand” and tune policy to the realities small businesses face—because the jobs we rely on and the communities we help thrive depend on it.
