Political Monitor | February 10th Edition

Starmer continues to defend his position to Parliament and the electorate today after successfully defending his mandate, for now, to the Parliamentary Labour Party last night. This latest crisis, was of course, created by the US release of more Epstein files about Peter Mandelson and PM Starmer’s decision to appoint him as US Ambassador in 2024. It has already led to the resignation of his advisor McSweeney. The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) Chair Kevan Jones has called for maximum transparency from the government in its disclosure to the Committee, a process that has been complicated by the fact the Met Police has asked No. 10 not to publish certain documents that risked undermining its current investigation.

Read more about the situation in this briefing.

This followed Andy Burnham being blocked by Labour’s NEC from resigning as Manchester Mayor and running for Labour in the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election on 26th February.

Nigel Farage named Dan Thomas, former Conservative and Barnet Council leader, as the new Reform leader in Wales ahead of the Welsh and Scottish Parliaments and local elections on 7th May, and defections from the Tories continue.

Economy & Labour Market

The Bank of England has held interest rates at 3.75% and slightly reduced its growth expectations for 2026.

The CBI and Pertemps have issued their latest labour market report. Our members are reporting a slowly improving market across most sectors.

APSCo News

Last week we published PR and a blog on the Employment Rights Act developments: https://uk.apsco.org/blog/apsco-uk-raises-concerns-over-zero-hours-contract-measures-as-government-launches-new-timeline-and-guidance-on-employment-rights-act

Register for our face to face consultation event on the ERA consultations on 24th February and other APSCo events here.

Careers Outreach and Modern Work Experience: Tania Bowers has recently been appointed a Careers Volunteer Enterprise Advisor to a school in the London Borough of Bromley. If central or South East London located members want to learn more about offering a week's work experience through Tania or with their local schools they should contact tania.bowers@apsco.org to have a chat.

Parliament, Employment Rights Act & Staffing Sector Regulation 

On 3rd February the Government launched a new website www.business.gov.uk/employment-changes, for employers, employees and workers providing a summary of key changes, details of the latest timeline, and practical guidance. The Employment Rights Act (ERA) timeline was updated and a new consultation on fire and rehire was issued.

• Agency worker regulations: This is a wide ranging consultation which asks how the Conduct Regulations should be adapted to account for the activities of umbrella companies, and what broader changes should be considered in order to modernise the rules around recruitment. Closing Date: 1st May 2026

• The ‘fire re-hire’ reforms: This consultation is limited to seeking feedback on which expenses, benefits, and shift changes should be considered a ‘restricted variation’. Convincing the government to narrow these restrictions to specific contractual variations was a major step forward during the Bill process, but this consultation is important to avoid unintended consequences. Closing Date 1st April 2026

Register for our face to face consultation event on these consultations on 24th February here. A further meeting with DBT policy advisors on the Conduct Regulation reforms will be organised for early April, ahead of the submission deadline.

• A revised statutory code of practice on recognition and derecognition processes: This consultation also includes proposals to prevent unfair practices in electronic ballots. It does not include wider reforms to the recognition process, such as changes to the membership requirement. These are expected to be considered at a later date.
  Closing Date for Members intending to make their own submission: 1st April 2026
  

• Flexible working: This consultation asks for views on a new process for employers to follow when handling flexible working requests and seeks insights on flexible working practices more broadly. Closing Date 30th April 2026

There is also a consultation on treatment of Tipping by employers.

Other Announcements & Publications

Careers OutReach, Work Experience & Skills

Businesses can offer a project experience for a day, or invite a class in just for a few hours, so they can see what goes on in a business like yours. Whatever works for you, works for young people in your area.

Too many young people are missing out on workplace experiences because there aren’t enough being offered. Flexible workplace experiences make it easier than ever for businesses to get involved.

The Careers and Enterprise Company, a government funded enterprise offers a comprehensive suite of support for employers:
https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/employers/employer-standards/

Register on this page for an employer webinar on offering work experience to take place on 17th February.

If you are based in or around London and Interested in offering workplace experiences but need a little more information, join the London Careers Hub at their SME event on 24th February to find out what help they can offer members:

• 5.30-8.00pm
• 24th February 2026
• Transport for London, 5 Endeavour Square, London E20 1JN

Register here.

You’ll learn more on just how easy the process can be to open up more work experience opportunities for young people.

This week is Apprenticeship Week. APSCo can support you to employee an apprentice through its Level 3 Recruiter apprenticeship programme.

Learn more about apprenticeships here.

AI

AI has very much been in the news with stocks in software SAAS businesses and data businesses plummeting, amongst fears the AI will replace their services.

There has also been concern about AI replacing creative jobs, so critical to the UK economy and other service sector job cuts.

On a more positive note the Government have launched an AI Skills Hub offering free courses for everyone. They also announced how top AI expertise will support the renewal of public services and boost national security.