Month: June 2023

A fresh round of rail strikes is set to disrupt national networks during July, after the RMT union announced that 20,000 workers would stage three days of walkouts.
The announcement dashes any hopes of an imminent resolution to a bitter labour dispute that has caused frequent disruption to rail lines across the country during 2023.
The RMT said train operators had failed to make a new pay offer and that members working for 14 rail companies would go on strike as a result, on 20, 22 and 29 July.
RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said the new strikes, part of continued labour action by the union, would “show the country just how important railway staff are to the running of the rail industry.
“My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 for talks with the train operating companies and government,” he said.
“Yet quite incredibly neither party has made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution.
“The government continues to shackle the companies and will not allow them to put forward a package that can settle this dispute.
The announcement marks a fresh chapter in a bitter and long-running labour dispute.
RMT members have voted 3 times to take strike action over the last 12 months while train drivers’ union Aslef has also staged walkouts.
Rail services across England came to a halt earlier this month, after 12,000 drivers went on strike for the second time in a week amid a long-running dispute with operating companies over pay and conditions. Further labour action is expected in July, after Aslef announced a week-long overtime ban.
Read more:
RMT announces three days of rail strikes in July as dispute continues

New data out today from HMRC today showed the estimate of the tax gap across all taxes and duties administered by the tax authority to be £35.8bn or 4.8% of theoretical tax liabilities. .
The tax gap is the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid.
Dominic Arnold, tax partner at Evelyn Partners, the leading integrated wealth management and professional services group, comments: “The compliant majority of taxpayers expect HMRC to minimise the tax gap as they ultimately are the ones that bear the cost. Taxpayers want a tax authority which is properly resourced, accessible, efficient and that deals with the non-compliant appropriately. HMRC’s latest tax gap analysis shows there’s still more work to be done.
“Small businesses continue to make up the biggest proportion of the tax gap at 56% (£20.2bn) with wealthy individuals at a much lower 5% (£1.7bn). Direct taxes such as income tax and corporation tax make up around two thirds of the tax gap with VAT at 5%.
“Underlying behaviours driving the tax gap show a marked increase in taxpayers failing to take reasonable care, with tax evasion and the hidden economy making up 20% of the tax HMRC estimates it did not collect. Tax avoidance related underpayments remain static at 4%.
“Despite the long-term downward trend, the tax gap has remained doggedly static in recent years and in monetary terms has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Although it remains at a low level, it is against a backdrop of record post pandemic tax receipts, fuelled in part by fiscal drag as many tax allowances and reliefs have been reduced or not increased in line with inflation. In 2022/2023, tax receipts as a percentage of GDP were at a 20 year high of 31.4%.
“To reduce this gap HMRC needs more resources and effective compliance programmes to tackle those who don’t play by the rules. A recent NAO report suggested that HMRC compliance yield plummeted during the pandemic by a staggering £9bn and concluded ‘It seems likely that many more non-compliant taxpayers will escape paying their fair share of tax potentially undermining the sense of fairness on which the system relies.’
“Those trying to get it right have also been badly affected by HMRC’s performance in dealing with telephone calls and postal correspondence and this has now been compounded by a decision to close the Self Assessment Helpline in summer 2023,
“Closing the Self Assessment helpline, even for a relatively short period, flies in the face of trying to better help taxpayers, particularly small businesses, get things right. Redirecting people to online resources will only help so many and the alternative of writing to HMRC risks joining a much bigger queue. ”
“Making Tax Digital programme is a transformational project aimed at improving the standard of record-keeping in UK businesses.
“The Making Tax Digital programme which aims to help businesses reduce errors in their tax records through digital record-keeping has been beset with delays since it was first announced in 2015 and the original fully implementation date of 2020 is now likely to be 2027. HMRC cannot begin to reap the full benefits of the programme until then.
“With the number of enquiries from HMRC now expected to escalate significantly, taxpayers who are contacted by the HMRC should consider getting professional tax advice to ensure their affairs are in order. Getting advice when dealing with an enquiry is usually sensible and ensures it’s dealt with correctly and quickly.”
Read more:
HMRC’s tax gap for financial year 2021 to 2022 increases by £3.8bn

A startup that uses soundwaves to move cells in petri dishes has won £10,000 and a year’s membership at tech incubator SETsquared Bristol.
Dr Luke Cox’s startup Impulsonics makes growing cells in the lab cheaper, faster and more reliable, by automating processes still done by hand in all but the biggest labs.
Impulsonics’ patented technology “gently moves cells” using sound waves, “reducing the cost by an order of magnitude” without breaking the cells’ sterile housing, according to Dr Cox.
Cell cultures growing in petri dishes and well plates must be moved every three days – Dr Cox says his technology could reduce the equipment costs involved in automating this process by 90%.
Last night he won the top prize at the University of Bristol’s New Enterprise Competition (NEC), which each year awards £50,000 in funding and prizes to entrepreneurial students, staff and alumni.
Other winners included an app that helps sports teams organise themselves, and a startup tackling child illiteracy with an artistically impressive computer game and board game.
Dr Cox, who is Impulsonics’ CEO, said: “With so many impressive businesses entering the NEC it’s fantastic to have taken the top prize. It’s also a real vindication of everything we’re doing at Impulsonics.
“We’ve talked to more than 150 people in the biotech industry to find out exactly what they need, and we’ve already had several expressions of interest in our technology.
“To help develop our first product we’re currently raising in our first funding round – so get in touch if you want to be involved.”
In the longer term, Impulsonics’ technology will build clusters of cells that mimic human organs, helping to reduce the cost of testing drugs in the pre-clinical stage.
Dr Cox joined the University of Bristol as an undergraduate in 2013 and went on to complete a PhD under the supervision of Prof Bruce Drinkwater and Prof Anthony Croxford, who have both built successful ‘spinouts’ (businesses based on university research).
Both are professors in the University’s Ultrasonics and Non-destructive Testing lab, where Dr Cox spun out his sound wave research. They have also been working closely with The Armstrong Group in Bristol Medical School.
Prof Michele Barbour, the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Innovation, who was on the NEC judging panel, said: “Seeing the creative and genuinely innovative ideas brought to the NEC by our university community is a real highlight of the year.
“It is always incredibly hard to pick the winners, but Luke’s research-informed technology really blew us away. I’ve done plenty of cell biology in my time and I very much recognise the barriers and problems Impulsonics’ technology seeks to address.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that cell biology will be much, much more automated in future – and I would love for a Bristol spinout to lead the way in that laboratory revolution. ”
Impulsonics was awarded £10,000, plus pro bono legal support from VWV, SETsquared Bristol’s in-house legal team. The year’s membership at SETsquared Bristol includes tailored business support, coaching and training, a network of advisers, mentors and investors and a community of inspiring startups to work alongside.
Kimberley Brook, Director at SETsquared Bristol, said: “We are always impressed by the quality of student enterprises who come through this competition, and this year has been no different. All of the finalists had a unique proposition and will receive some level of follow up support from the judging panel.
“We are delighted to offer both Impulsonics and Remap a place on our incubation programme to take their companies to the next level.”
Other winners on the night were:
Wonderspun – £5,000
A program combining traditional board games with digital techniques to promote reading among schoolchildren. By immersing children in a rich fantasy world, it sparks their imagination and enthusiasm for literature, fostering a love for reading.
Founder: Gareth Osborne, PhD in Theatre and Performance
Armago – £2,500
A platform for managing university sports clubs, including membership, scheduling and communication. It simplifies administrative tasks, empowering club leaders to create thriving and vibrant sports communities on campus.
Founder: Mark Bushby, MSci in Geography with Innovation

Armago won £2,000 from the New Enterprise Competition People’s Choice Award, which is decided by a public vote.

Elevate – £2,500
An app providing mentor support for international students planning to study abroad. Elevate connects students with experienced mentors, offering personalised guidance, resources and advice for a smooth transition and successful academic journey in a foreign country.
Founders: Anuradha Kamble, MSc in Aerospace Engineering, and Pravin Kamble, PhD in Aerospace Engineering
Remap Mental Fitness – 6-months SETsquared Bristol membership
A platform promoting mental wellbeing and physical health. Through educational materials, interactive workshops and personalised support, it empowers individuals to proactively prioritise mental wellness, fostering resilience and overall well-being.
Founders: Maya Raichoora, an MSci in Geography with Innovation graduate and Ben Wainwright, an MEng in Computer Science with Innovation graduate
The New Enterprise Competition is run by the Basecamp Enterprise Team within the University of Bristol Careers Service.
Read more:
£10,000 for startup moving cells with soundwaves

Hundreds of businesses including high-street heavyweights WH Smith, M&S and Argos have been named and shamed after being fined for failing to pay workers the minimum wage.
Firms from sole traders to household names were ordered to repay 63,000 staff lost wages totalling close to £5m, after breaching National Minimum Wage (NMW) law.
WH Smith topped the list for failing to pay more than £1m to over 17,000 workers, closely followed by Lloyds Pharmacy, which had to repay over £900,000 to almost 8,000 of its staff.
Supermarket and clothing retailer M&S failed to pay more than 5,000 employees almost £580,000, while Argos, owned by Sainsbury’s, repaid over 10,000 workers over £480,000.
Bingo operator Buzz Group also failed to pay close to £320,000 to more than 3,000 staff.
Small business minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and all businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.”
The 202 businesses were cumulatively fined almost a further £7m, payable to HMRC, in what ministers said was a “clear message from government that no employer is exempt”.
39 per cent of firms docked employees’ pay while a separate 39 per cent failed to pay the right amount for work hours, and a further 21 per cent of employers paid the wrong apprenticeship rate.
It came after a 9.7 per cent rise in the statutory living wage and minimum wage came into force for nearly 3m workers across the UK in April 2023.
The repayments and fines followed HMRC investigations concluding between 2017 to 2019.
“We’re sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law: pay your staff properly or you’ll face the consequences,” Hollinrake added.
Low Pay Commission chairman Bryan Sanderson said: “The minimum wage acts as a guarantee to ensure all workers without exception receive a decent standard of pay.
“Where employers break the law, they not only do a disservice to their staff but also undermine fair competition between businesses.”
A spokesperson for WH Smith said: “Following a review with HMRC in 2019, it was brought to our attention that we had misinterpreted how statutory wage regulations applied to uniform policy for staff working in our stores.
“This was a genuine error and was rectified immediately with all colleagues reimbursed in 2019.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “In 2018, a payroll error was identified which affected some Argos store colleagues and drivers, dating back to 2012, before Sainsbury’s acquisition of Argos.
“We launched an immediate investigation, alongside HMRC, and put this right at the time. Since then we have completed the integration of Argos onto Sainsbury’s systems which will prevent this from happening again.
“Since acquiring Argos, we have made significant investment into pay and the Argos hourly rate is now aligned with Sainsbury’s, an increase of 53 per cent over the last seven years.”
An M&S spokesperson said: “Like many other organisations, M&S is only named in the NMW list because of an unintentional technical issue from over four years ago.
“This happened simply because temporary colleagues were not paid within the strict time periods specified in the regulations and this was remedied as soon as we became aware of the issue. Our minimum hourly pay has never been below national minimum wage, and no colleagues were ever underpaid because of this.”
A spokesperson for Lloyds Pharmacy said: “Lloyds Pharmacy can confirm that this relates to a historical, and unintentional, underpayment brought about by HMRC’s rules around company uniforms.
“As soon as we were made aware of it we acted quickly to notify the affected colleagues and reimburse them. We also updated our uniform policy to ensure it did not recur.
“Lloyds Pharmacy can confirm all our employees are paid above the national minimum wage and would like to take this opportunity to apologise again to any Lloyds Pharmacy colleagues who were affected, as well as reassure them of our commitment to fair and equitable pay.”
 
Read more:
WH Smith, M&S and Argos among hundreds fined for failing to pay minimum wage

Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, today announces Virgin StartUp and BizBritain as national Business Support Partners (BSPs).
They two organisations will work with the Start Up Loans programme to deliver funding and support for small businesses across the UK over the next two years.
The Start Up Loans scheme delivers finance to small businesses through its partners at a fixed interest rate of 6% and provides mentoring to recipients. Since inception, the scheme has delivered more than 100,000 loans worth more than £980 million to businesses and its delivery partners (now renamed as Business Support Partners) have always been critical to its success.
Start Up Loans’ impact has been particularly noticeable among individuals who might find it difficult to secure funding from traditional lenders, which has always been a priority for the scheme. New BSPs share – and will help deliver on – the ambition of providing support tailored to all demographics in society.
Richard Bearman, Managing Director, Start Up Loans, said: “I am delighted to confirm these two appointed BSPs, who will be fundamental in delivering our ambition to provide funding to those wanting to start a business with the finance and support to do so.
“Both companies share the same passion and determination for supporting UK small businesses which is essential as business owners continue to grapple with a challenging economic landscape. They each have a fantastic track record. In the case of Virgin StartUp we know the team just recently delivered its 5,000th loan.”
Matt Gubba, CEO and Founder of BizBritain, said: “At BizBritain, we’re passionate about enabling the dreams and ambitions of UK small businesses. Our partnership with the British Business Bank is an embodiment of that passion, offering Start Up Loans that can serve as the catalyst for economic growth and innovation across the UK. In supporting these businesses, we’re investing in the future of our country, fostering job creation, and driving forward economic resilience.”
Andy Fishburn, Managing Director at Virgin StartUp, comments: “There is nothing more inspiring than listening to the ideas of new business founders who want to have a positive impact in the world. In the past 10 years, we’ve had the pleasure of supporting 5,000 founders with a Start Up Loan and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate this milestone than to announce that we will be funding many thousands more over the next few years.
“The Start Up Loan scheme makes starting a business a reality for many more would-be founders. We are proud to be part of their journey and we can’t wait to meet and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
Read more:
British business bank’s start up loans programme unveils Virgin Startup and BizBritain as support partners

Sam Wood, a final year student studying Film Production at the University of Salford and entrepreneur, has launched Salford Media Works, an all-inclusive creative content agency expected to disrupt the media and marketing sector, thanks to the support of Launch@ Salford.
Launch, Salford Business School’s purpose-built incubation space, is designed to support Salford students and graduates through the start-up phase of their business journeys. Since its inception in 2018, it has successfully provided in-depth support to 200 students to help them start a business.
Sam embarked on his entrepreneurial journey after eight years as a freelance content creator, something he started when he was just 14 years old. As a photographer and graphic designer supporting brands looking to standout in crowded marketplaces, Sam has gained valuable experience and developed a passion for delivering high-quality visual content over the years. So, when he spotted a gap in the market with clients continuously requesting recommendations for other services in the content space including video, as well as strategy and creative ideation, he spotted the opportunity for him to plug that gap.
Reflecting on the early success of Salford Media Works, Sam, said: “Thanks to the support of Launch@ Salford, establishing Salford Media Works has been an incredible experience. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to grow my business and acquire the skills necessary for long-term success. The support I’ve received through the programme and having access to the mentors, plus other students on the cohort to bounce ideas off has been invaluable.”
Sam’s all-inclusive creative content agency is already making waves in the media and marketing world by providing comprehensive 360 visual content solutions. Salford Media Work’s commitment to covering the visual content landscape sets it apart as a one-stop-shop for clients’ creative content needs, including videography, photography, graphic design, social media management, strategy and creative ideation.
Recognising the demand for all-inclusive content solutions and campaigns, Sam is now successfully plugging what was a previously burgeoning gap in the market. He’s providing clients with a wide range of creative content options, from social media content and product demo videos to podcasts and headshots.
The agency has already achieved significant success, delivering content and campaigns for clients such as BEAR Coffee and Winncare Group.
The incubator has equipped Sam with the confidence and knowledge to navigate the challenges of growing a business, while the supportive community has provided inspiration and valuable networking opportunities.
Paul Little, Incubation Manager at Launch@ Salford, said: “We are incredibly proud of Sam. He is a shining example of the entrepreneurial spirit and creative talent we nurture here at Salford Business School. Empowering and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs as they embark on their own start-up journeys through programmes like Launch will continue to be a focus for us.
“It’s driven, innovative and creative entrepreneurs like Sam who are instrumental to the region’s economy, so to play even a small part in their journeys is incredibly rewarding. Sam’s achievements demonstrate Salford Media Works’ dedication and expertise, securing prestigious clients shortly after starting his trading journey, so we can’t wait to see his business continue on this exciting upwards trajectory.”
Launch offers a wealth of resources and guidance from Salford Business School academics and Industry Fellows to help entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into reality. From support shaping their business idea and launching to market, to providing guidance on securing investment, generating sales/revenue and marketing, the programme helps nurture future business leaders.
Sam concluded: “I have some ambitious growth plans for the next few years which I now have the confidence to pursue, thanks to Launch.”
Read more:
Meet the student entrepreneur revolutionising the creative content space

An award-winning businessman, written off by teachers as a no-hoper, has launched a fund to  inspire and support  teenagers amongst the Grenfell community in one of London’s most deprived and beloved areas.
Jamie Fraser, who has built up a £75 million value recruitment company, is ploughing  £100,000 ‘into his Entrepreneur Fund’ to give youngsters from deprived communities a chance at creating a successful business.
The 28-year-old, who left school with four GCSEs and started his company in a tiny office with one phone, wants to create platforms and pathways to make it easier for youngsters to forge careers.
Tutors at Morley College London, which has a student base including many who have struggled with mainstream education and was revitalised from grants given after Grenfell,  invited the CEO to deliver an address to students on Tuesday.
He inspired dozens of students with his story on the eve of the Grenfell anniversary and revealed they will be able to apply to the fund to be mentored and also receive financial support for their ventures from July 1.
He told pupils:” Literally anything is possible. What stops anyone achieving anything is only down to ourselves and nothing else. I am here to give that opportunity to another young entrepreneur that has a great business idea “
The College, in North Kensington, London, is close to Grenfell Tower, which was devastated by fire in 2017. It has joined forces with the nearby Portobello Business Centre to help families rebuild their lives.
“I am a big believer in people’s hard work and determination. I am always willing to give every single individual with young talent or someone who wants to be an entrepreneur a chance to make something out of their life,” said Jamie, whose InterEx company, a staffing agency specialising in tech, cloud, cyber security, and project delivery sectors, has offices in London, New York and Miami.
“One of my goals when I launched InterEx, was to coach, mentor & train future entrepreneurs and that is something I am committed to doing in my career. I wasn’t academic so school offered me very little and there are thousands of children like me who just fall by the wayside because they don’t fit in and that is a tragic waste.”
Jamie, from Essex, had a rocky childhood and school years but was given a chance by a recruitment firm boss who gave him a job despite his lack of qualifications and experience. “Someone recognised something in me and took a chance on me. They had faith in me and that was crucial,” he added.
“That is the sort of intervention I want to make in other people’s lives – to show them that they can achieve and give them direction to make it, providing they are prepared to work hard.”
He has put up £100,000 for his Entrepreneur Fund and will interview applicants for the Fund, which will launch next month via the Portobello Business Centre website.
Morley College Programme Area Manager for English Lucy Reese said: “Many of our learners dream of becoming entrepreneurs, but sometimes lack the guidance or contacts to do so. I know it would really benefit them to hear directly from Jamie what he thinks was the secret to his success.”
Portobello Business Centre (PBC) CEO Simon Shimmens said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Morley college and Jamie, and this very generous kick off fund of 100,000 to support young entrepreneurs.
“As we know at PBC, start-up funding is often very difficult to obtain for young people with aspirations for self-employment or starting their own businesses. We support these individuals through workshops, courses and programmes, but Jamie will undoubtedly inspire young people with his own success and offers a fantastic opportunity to apply for a grant to help them realise their dreams.
“We are thrilled to partner with both Morley and Jamie to support thriving future entrepreneurs with their very own business ventures
“It is such a great opportunity, and we are so keen to be working with the college as a lot of entrepreneurs start at school, and we have previously been working with adults. You can tell from Jamie’s passion and enthusiasm that whoever benefits from his fund is going to get so much more than just the grant but receive incredible support in life. It’s all about mindset, attitude and support”
Morley Vice Principal (Student Engagement) and Centre Principal (North Kensington Centre for Skills) Craig Hanlon- Smith added:”Jamie is going to give you an inspiring talk. This college is all about what happens next, and what other opportunities are out there in the world.
“What we are doing at the college is very much a collaboration of what is happening in the world and all the opportunities we can take advantage of. It is about the future and how this local area moves forward, and what is available for people in this area.”
Read more:
Fund launched to support new entrepreneurs in Grenfell community

SWIFT, the renowned global financial messaging service, has recently joined forces with major banks and Chainlink, a leading web3 infrastructure provider, plans to explore the integration of public and private blockchains in the banking sector.
This collaboration, particularly Chainlink’s partnership with SWIFT, holds significant promise for the future of decentralized finance (DeFi) and its potential to revolutionize the financial industry. The Caged Beasts (BEASTS) is a cryptocurrency that is well known for its referral program. What could this collab do for this brand-new meme token on the market?
Chainlink SWIFTLY Partners Up With Financial Messaging Service
Chainlink, built on the Ethereum blockchain, is a decentralized oracle network that connects smart contracts with real-world data and external APIs. Its purpose is to securely and reliably bridge the gap between blockchains and off-chain data sources, enabling smart contracts to access real-time information. With its robust infrastructure and wide range of data oracles, Chainlink has emerged as a key player in the blockchain ecosystem.
The partnership between Chainlink and SWIFT signifies a significant step toward the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology in traditional finance. By integrating public and private blockchains, SWIFT and its partner banks aim to enhance the speed, transparency, and security of financial transactions. This collaboration highlights the growing recognition of blockchain’s potential to transform legacy systems and drive innovation in the banking industry.
DeFi, an abbreviation for decentralized finance, refers to a set of financial applications and protocols built on blockchain networks. It aims to recreate traditional financial instruments and services in a decentralized and more accessible manner. DeFi eliminates intermediaries, reduces costs, and provides open access to financial services for individuals worldwide.
The prospects of DeFi are highly promising, as it has the potential to disrupt and dominate the financial industry in the near future. By leveraging blockchain technology and smart contracts, DeFi protocols offer various financial services such as lending, borrowing, decentralized exchanges, and yield farming. These services operate autonomously, without the need for intermediaries like banks or traditional financial institutions.
The integration of public and private blockchains in the banking sector, exemplified by the partnership between SWIFT and Chainlink, opens up new possibilities for DeFi. It enables the seamless flow of data and assets between different blockchain networks, fostering interoperability and expanding the capabilities of decentralized finance.
As DeFi continues to evolve and gain traction, it presents an exciting investment opportunity for those seeking the next big altcoins with utility and potential for explosive growth. Projects like Chainlink, with their innovative technology and strong partnerships, are well-positioned to capitalize on the growth of DeFi and shape the future of the financial industry.
Welcome To The Wild World Of The Caged Beasts
Caged Beasts is an intriguing new cryptocurrency and meme coin led by Rabbit 4001. With a unique backstory and the potential for significant returns, it appeals to investors seeking something different. By joining early, individuals can become part of a growing community that aims to reshape financial systems and unlock new possibilities.
Notably, Caged Beasts allocate a substantial 25% of their tokens for marketing efforts, demonstrating their commitment to spreading their message. The remaining tokens contribute to the currency’s liquidity. Additionally, users can generate passive income through a referral system, earning 20% on their investment and allowing others to benefit as well. Referrals can yield significant returns, with just five referrals resulting in a 100% return on investment.
Conclusion
The partnership between SWIFT and Chainlink signifies a significant milestone in the integration of public and private blockchains in the banking sector. This collaboration showcases the potential of blockchain technology, specifically Chainlink’s role as a leading web3 infrastructure provider.
With the rise of DeFi, blockchain-powered financial applications have the potential to revolutionize the traditional financial industry, offering greater accessibility, transparency, and efficiency. As investors explore the altcoin market, projects like Chainlink present an opportunity to participate in the growth and evolution of decentralized finance.
Read more:
Swift Partners Up With Chainlink For New Crypto Developments: What Could This Mean For New Token Caged Beasts?

IKEA UK is marking a key milestone in its ambition to support refugees back into employment this World Refugee Day, as the brand celebrates the strength and resilience of 140 forcibly displaced people who have successfully completed the UPPNÅ Skills for Employment programme.
Since April 2021, the UPPNÅ scheme has provided training and an 8-week paid work experience placement to refugees in local communities, opening pathways to work by developing the skills required to gain employment, either inside or outside of the IKEA business. In 2023, 89% of UPPNÅ graduates have gone on to secure permanent roles at IKEA to date, and almost half of all participants that have completed the programme since its launch remain IKEA UK co-workers today, in retail stores and distribution centres across the UK.
Supporting IKEA’s mission to create a better everyday life for the many people, the initiative has transformed the lives of refugees throughout the UK and Ireland, and the brand is firmly on track to achieve its goal of providing 180 placements in three years (FY21-23) by the end of August. IKEA is also continuing its work to ‘Change the Narrative’ around refugees, highlighting their value to businesses, host communities and society at large by tackling common misconceptions.
IKEA works in partnership with Refugee Council Hubs across the UK to offer crucial support, advice and a place to come together for refugees. Refugees seeking support can access a range of services including CV writing, job application support, interview techniques and customer service training, as well as an introduction to the UK’s labour market.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, says the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide rose dramatically to 108 million people at the end of 2022, including 36.5 million children and that the number will continue to rise. As of November 2022, there were 231,597 refugees, 127,421 pending asylum cases and 5,483 stateless persons in the UK.
Darren Taylor, Country People and Culture Manager, at IKEA UK&IE, said: “In the UK, we’ve been working to create a positive change with and for refugees in our neighbourhoods since 2016, through a combination of local projects, donations and IKEA’s own UPPNÅ Skills for Employment programme. Opening doors for refugees to access the labour market and build a better, brighter future here in the UK has never been more important than it is today. At IKEA, we believe that refugee integration is good for both business and society, and that we have a responsibility to stand with all those in need – by improving the long-term prospects for as many refugees as possible.”
Read more:
Ikea supports 140 refugees through skills for employment programme