UK employers report weaker hiring and pay growth in July
With the Bank of England watching the jobs market closely, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development said only 57% of private sector employers planned to recruit staff over the next three months, the lowest since the start of 2021 though only slightly down from 58% in the last quarterly survey.
The professional body for the human resources sector said higher employer social security charges introduced by finance minister Rachel Reeves and an increased minimum wage were hurting jobs, particularly in hospitality and social care.
Planned changes to employment law which are likely to make it harder to sack employees in their first two years in a job were also making businesses more reticent to hire younger, less experienced staff, CIPD economist James Cockett said.
Other business surveys have shown similar concerns, as well as broader headwinds from weak domestic demand and residual uncertainty for some exporters over U.S. trade tariffs.
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Hindustan Times
10 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
How Donald Trump's 50% US tariff bomb is pushing India closer to China
US President Donald Trump's threat of a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods is pushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi closer to BRICS nations, including China. This marks a significant shift in bilateral ties between India and China that saw their lowest point in 2020 following the Galwan Valley clash. Chinese President Xi Jinping and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Narendra Modi's latest move is to resume direct flights with China as soon as next month, people familiar with the negotiations, who asked for anonymity to discuss private matters, told news agency Bloomberg. The deal could be formally announced when Modi is expected to head to China for the first time in seven years and meet President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation held in Tianjin from August 31, the report added. India had suspended direct flights during the Covid-19 pandemic, which coincided with the Galwan Valley clash in east Ladakh that killed 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops. Henry Wang, president of the Center for China and Globalization think tank in Beijing, told the news agency that ties between India and China are in an 'up cycle", and as leaders of the Global South, 'they have to really speak to each other". 'Trump's tariff war on India has made India realise that they have to maintain some kind of strategic autonomy and strategic independence,' he added. Washington DC has long courted New Delhi as a counterbalance to Beijing in geopolitics but with Donld Trump's trade wars, China and India are finding common ground. Xu Feihong, China's ambassador to India, has offered Modi moral support over the tariffs. 'Give the bully an inch, he will take a mile,' Xu last week wrote on X over a quote from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi denouncing the use of tariffs 'as a weapon to suppress other countries.' --With assistance from Dan Strumpf, Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Mihir Mishra, Anthony Palazzo and Colum Murphy. Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has warned that Donald Trump's tariff measures against India, intended to hurt Russia, could end up having the opposite effect by pushing New Delhi closer to Moscow and Beijing. "Trump's tariffs against India are intended to hurt Russia but they could push India closer to Russia and to China to oppose these tariffs," John Bolton told CNN in an interview. The former NSA further cautioned, 'Trump's leniency on the Chinese, and heavy-handed tariffs on India, jeopardise decades of American efforts to bring India away from Russia and China.' Trump's 50% tariff on India Modi's economic calculus was fundamentally altered this month when Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent as a penalty for its purchases of Russian oil. Donald Trump's remarks that India's economy was 'dead' and its tariff barriers 'obnoxious' further strained relations. China shows thaw signs China, also a prime target in Trump's trade wars, has shown signs it's ready for a thaw. This month, it eased curbs on urea shipments to India — the world's largest importer of the fertilizer. Although initial volumes are small, the trade could expand, easing global shortages and prices. China relaxed the ban in June but had maintained restrictions on India until now. Adani Group's investments The Adani Group is reportedly in talks with Chinese electric vehicle major BYD Co. for a potential partnership that could enable billionaire Gautam Adani's conglomerate to produce batteries in India, further expanding its clean energy footprint. (With inputs from agencies)
News18
39 minutes ago
- News18
India-China Thaw Or Tactical Pause? Breaking Down The Latest Signals
For years, India and China have been locked in a frosty standoff. Now, subtle but significant signals suggest that the ground may be shifting For years, India and China have been locked in a frosty standoff, marked by deadly clashes, frozen travel links, and hardening positions along contested borders. Now, subtle but significant signals suggest that the ground may be shifting. In recent weeks, a flurry of developments has hinted at a possible thaw, stirring questions about whether the two Asian giants are recalibrating their relationship. The change comes after a prolonged period of mistrust that began well before the Galwan Valley clash of 2020 but deepened in its aftermath. Today, amid a turbulent global landscape and shifting power equations, both sides appear to be testing the waters for renewed engagement. What is driving this moment, and how far might it go? The answers lie in a mix of diplomacy, trade, and geopolitics, and in the challenges that still stand in the way. Flights Set To Resume After Four Years New Delhi and Beijing are preparing to restart direct passenger flights as early as September. The Indian government has asked carriers such as Air India and IndiGo to be ready to operate to China at short notice. A formal announcement is expected during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin at the end of August, his first trip to China in seven years. Passenger flights between the two countries were suspended after the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing travellers to transit via Hong Kong, Singapore or other hubs. Before the suspension, Air India, IndiGo, Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern operated regular services. Earlier attempts to restart flights in January and June failed due to diplomatic tensions. First Diesel Cargo To China In Three Years Economic links, long overshadowed by political tensions, are also beginning to stir. In what Bloomberg calls the first such shipment in over three years, an Indian diesel cargo is headed to China. The EM Zenith left Nayara Energy's Vadinar terminal on 18 July with about 496,000 barrels of ultra-low sulphur diesel. The voyage has been anything but straightforward. Initially bound for Malaysia, the tanker reversed course in the Strait of Malacca and anchored for nearly two weeks after the European Union announced fresh sanctions on the Rosneft-backed refinery. It has now updated its destination to Zhoushan, China. The diversion to China coincides with other recent developments in trade and diplomacy between the two neighbours. China Relaxes Urea Export Curbs For India In another trade signal, Bloomberg reported that Beijing has lifted restrictions on urea shipments to India, potentially allowing purchases of up to 300,000 tonnes. India is the world's largest importer of the nitrogen-based crop nutrient, and in 2023 nearly half of China's urea exports went to India. Beijing had halted urea sales entirely last year and, while partially lifting the ban in June, kept restrictions on India until now. India imported about 5.7 million tonnes of urea in the fiscal year ended 31 March 2025, nearly 20 per cent less than the previous year. Purchases from China fell sharply from 1.87 million tonnes in 2023–24 to around 100,000 tonnes in 2024–25. While the planned 300,000 tonnes is modest, it could ease global supply pressures and help lower prices. Tourist Visas, Pilgrimage Routes Resume The diplomatic thaw has been matched by a resumption of people-to-people links. On 24 July, India resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens after a five-year gap, and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has also restarted. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had hinted at a revival of business relations, noting, 'How far it will go is something we will have to wait and see." These steps follow an October 2024 agreement on patrolling arrangements and troop disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which restored Indian troops' ability to access key points and allowed herders to resume grazing in disputed areas. Trump's Trade War: A Common Catalyst Observers point to US President Donald Trump's tariff policies as a factor nudging India and China closer. Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent over Russian oil purchases, while extending a tariff truce with Beijing for 90 days to stave off triple-digit duties on Chinese imports. When the India tariffs were announced, the Chinese Embassy in Delhi voiced support for India's sovereignty, calling it 'non-negotiable," and posted an illustration of an elephant, representing India, facing a baseball bat labelled US tariffs. 'India's sovereignty is non-negotiable and its foreign policy choices cannot be manipulated by other countries, no matter how significant their own ties with India are."—-Quoted from @the_hindu — Yu Jing (@ChinaSpox_India) August 6, 2025 Foreign Policy has reported that Washington may be moving closer to both Beijing and Islamabad in a bid to pull Pakistan away from China. New Delhi's outreach to Beijing has been viewed by some analysts as a way to mitigate any fallout from a US–Pakistan reset. In Beijing, there is suspicion that US overtures to Pakistan might aim to disrupt the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor or gather intelligence on Chinese weapons used by Pakistan. As Biswajit Dhar of the Council for Social Development told the South China Morning Post, 'I think [Trump] has pushed India and China closer together," noting that US protectionism is a shared concern for both capitals. Border Disputes, Pakistan Ties Continue To Strain Relations Even as diplomatic and trade links show signs of revival, several core disputes continue to weigh on India–China relations. The LAC dispute remains unresolved. China's longstanding defence and strategic partnership with Pakistan also remains a major concern for India. The two describe their ties as an 'all-weather strategic cooperative partnership," which extends to military technology and nuclear cooperation. This was evident during Operation Sindoor, when Pakistan deployed Chinese-origin fighter jets, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Infrastructure projects in contested or sensitive regions add to the mistrust. Beijing's construction of a mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo, which becomes the Brahmaputra once it enters India, has heightened water security concerns. In parallel, China is expected to begin work this year on a railway line linking Hotan in Xinjiang to Shigatse in Tibet. The planned route is likely to pass through Aksai Chin, a territory claimed by India but controlled by China, and run close to the G219 highway near the LAC. Why Both Sides May Push Ahead top videos View all Even with the unresolved disputes, the incentives for cooperation are clear. As Dominic Rohner of the Geneva Graduate Institute told the South China Morning Post, 'There are clear incentives to increase bilateral ties, yielding both economic and political benefits. While it is difficult to forecast what will happen, it is in these countries' interest to foster ties." With flights, fuel and fertiliser trade, visas, and pilgrimages resuming, and a Modi–Xi meeting expected later this month, the next phase of engagement will be closely watched by both sides to assess whether cooperation expands beyond the steps announced so far. About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @ More Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : India-China ties Narendra Modi Xi Jinping view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 13, 2025, 14:54 IST News explainers India-China Thaw Or Tactical Pause? Breaking Down The Latest Signals Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
How Much Money Is Enough To Live Comfortably In Bengaluru? This CA Claims Rs 40-50 LPA
Last Updated: CA Nitin Kaushik says a single professional now needs a CTC of Rs 20 to 30 lakh annually for a comfortable lifestyle, leisure and significant savings. Maintaining a comfortable lifestyle in Bengaluru today demands a much higher income than many expect. Financial expert CA Nitin Kaushik estimates that a single working professional now requires a CTC of Rs 20 to 30 lakh per year to enjoy a good quality of life, indulge in leisure activities and still save a substantial amount. For a household with a spouse and child, that comfort threshold climbs to Rs 40 to 50 lakh annually, covering the cost of living in a premium gated community, access to quality education, regular weekend outings and the ability to set aside 10 to 15 per cent of income as savings. According to The Economic Times, Kaushik warns that earning below these levels often forces individuals and families to struggle with day-to-day expenses, given the sharp surge in Bengaluru's cost of living in recent years. The primary driver of Bengaluru's cost-of-living surge is housing. Rental prices in prime localities have jumped 70 to 100 per cent since early 2022. Even a modest one-bedroom apartment can cost Rs 30,000 or more per month. This surge is linked to post-COVID job relocations, the return-to-office trend and heightened demand from NRIs and real estate investors. Lifestyle Inflation: The Hidden Expense Kaushik emphasises that the problem isn't just price inflation on essentials, it's also lifestyle inflation. In Bengaluru's socially and professionally competitive environment, there's constant pressure to maintain certain 'urban standards" in dining, leisure and shopping choices. Even households earning Rs 1 lakh per month can end up living paycheck-to-paycheck when trying to keep up with these expectations. Post-pandemic, a rush towards better-paying jobs and migration to metros for career opportunities has fueled demand for quality housing, while supply has lagged. Meanwhile, core inflation in necessities such as food, fuel and transport has stayed persistently high. According to Kaushik, this mix of economic and lifestyle pressures has made metro living nearly twice as expensive as it was just a few years ago. Strategies to Cope with the Rising Cost of Living To survive and thrive in this environment, Kaushik advises professionals to: Focus on upskilling so that income growth outpaces expense growth. Optimise housing choices by finding the right balance between rent affordability and commuting distance. Invest early to protect wealth from inflation over the long term. He also stresses the importance of evaluating salary packages holistically, considering not just the CTC but also take-home pay, benefits and cost-of-living adjustments. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, metro residents in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Pune earning less than Rs 50,000 per month are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. For many, rent alone consumes 40 to 60 percent of monthly income, leaving limited funds for transportation, food and utilities. view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: August 13, 2025, 14:43 IST News business How Much Money Is Enough To Live Comfortably In Bengaluru? This CA Claims Rs 40-50 LPA Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
