Latest news with #JonathanReynolds
Auto Car
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Why the government's new industrial strategy is good news for car makers
Close Three months ago, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders boss Mike Hawes said it 'felt like you were being punched on all sides'. But the government's new UK Modern Industrial Strategy is one of a number of developments that makes Hawes 'a bit more optimistic' about the future. An automotive-specific trade deal with the Trump administration – the only one signed and in force of its kind in the world – is another reason for hope. People have even stopped asking him about Brexit… Hawes credits this government, and in particular business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, for giving meaningful support to the industry.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Moves to ban ‘exploitative' unpaid internships a step closer
Ministers launched a call for evidence into the practice, saying it formed part of its plans for the biggest upgrade in workers' rights in a generation. The Government said internships offered young people invaluable experience as they build their careers, but added that when they were unpaid or paid below the national minimum wage, they created barriers to equal opportunity based on where people live, how old they are, or their social background. Unpaid internships are already largely banned under current law, when they are not part of an educational or training course, but ministers said they wanted to strengthen protections by gathering more evidence on how unpaid internships affect young people, and how businesses use them to assess candidates. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 'Every young person deserves the chance to build their career through quality work experience, but good employers are still being undercut by those exploiting interns by illegally asking them to work for free. 'Our Plan for Change seeks to break down barriers to opportunity, which is why we will strengthen protections for younger workers so that internships are accessible to everyone, ensuring they have the foundations to build a strong and successful career.' Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said: 'Internships provide a strong platform from which to build a career, allowing young people to learn new skills and giving employers a pipeline of future talent to hire from to grow their business. 'Employers should not be taking advantage of the opportunities on offer by not paying their interns. 'This move will help us crack down on those not following the rules, so that the next generation of interns are able to gain that crucial experience whilst earning a fair wage.' Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, said: 'Taking action on internships with low or no pay is absolutely the right thing to do. 'We've found that 61% of internships undertaken by recent graduates were unpaid or underpaid, effectively excluding those who can't rely on financial support from family. 'Employers will benefit from the wider pool of talent available to them, and three quarters of employers told us a ban wouldn't impact the number of opportunities they provide. 'Today's announcement marks a significant step in the right direction.' The call for evidence will run for 12 weeks. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: 'Unpaid internships lock working-class kids out of jobs and opportunities, depriving them of the chance others take for granted. 'Young people trying to get started in their career are missing out on their dream jobs because they simply cannot afford to work for nothing. 'That's why we are taking action, and this call for evidence is the first step in delivering proper fairness and opportunity to young workers. We want to hear about people's experiences so we can build the evidence and act on this issue, creating the change that is needed.'
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Moves to ban ‘exploitative' unpaid internships a step closer
Ministers launched a call for evidence into the practice, saying it formed part of its plans for the biggest upgrade in workers' rights in a generation. The Government said internships offered young people invaluable experience as they build their careers, but added that when they were unpaid or paid below the national minimum wage, they created barriers to equal opportunity based on where people live, how old they are, or their social background. Unpaid internships are already largely banned under current law, when they are not part of an educational or training course, but ministers said they wanted to strengthen protections by gathering more evidence on how unpaid internships affect young people, and how businesses use them to assess candidates. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 'Every young person deserves the chance to build their career through quality work experience, but good employers are still being undercut by those exploiting interns by illegally asking them to work for free. 'Our Plan for Change seeks to break down barriers to opportunity, which is why we will strengthen protections for younger workers so that internships are accessible to everyone, ensuring they have the foundations to build a strong and successful career.' Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said: 'Internships provide a strong platform from which to build a career, allowing young people to learn new skills and giving employers a pipeline of future talent to hire from to grow their business. 'Employers should not be taking advantage of the opportunities on offer by not paying their interns. 'This move will help us crack down on those not following the rules, so that the next generation of interns are able to gain that crucial experience whilst earning a fair wage.' Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, said: 'Taking action on internships with low or no pay is absolutely the right thing to do. 'We've found that 61% of internships undertaken by recent graduates were unpaid or underpaid, effectively excluding those who can't rely on financial support from family. 'Employers will benefit from the wider pool of talent available to them, and three quarters of employers told us a ban wouldn't impact the number of opportunities they provide. 'Today's announcement marks a significant step in the right direction.' The call for evidence will run for 12 weeks. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: 'Unpaid internships lock working-class kids out of jobs and opportunities, depriving them of the chance others take for granted. 'Young people trying to get started in their career are missing out on their dream jobs because they simply cannot afford to work for nothing. 'That's why we are taking action, and this call for evidence is the first step in delivering proper fairness and opportunity to young workers. We want to hear about people's experiences so we can build the evidence and act on this issue, creating the change that is needed.'
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Britain's trade tsar will pressure Trump to slash tariffs on US trip
Britain's business secretary will put pressure on the White House to slash the blanket 10 per cent tax slapped on UK imports during a visit to Washington DC. Jonathan Reynolds intends to discuss sectoral tariffs and ways to drive down Mr Trump's tariffs when he meets with Howard Lutnick, the US commerce secretary, and trade representative Jamieson Greer, sources told Politico. In May, the UK became the first country to secure a trade deal with the Trump administration, which provided tariff relief for car imports and the British Aerospace industry. However, most UK goods imported to the US remain subject to Mr Trump's 10 per cent blanket reciprocal tariffs announced on his self-dubbed 'liberation day', and no deal was reached on the steel, film or pharmaceutical industries, triggering alarm among business executives. Mr Reynolds plans to spend four to five days in Washington in the final week of July, a source told Politico. The trip falls around the time that Mr Trump is planning to meet Sir Keir Starmer during a private visit to Scotland, where the US president said he expects trade talks. 'We are going to have a meeting with him, probably in Aberdeen. And we're going to do a lot of different things, also refine the trade deal that we've made,' he said on Monday. Peter Mandelson, the British ambassador to Washington, warned last weekend that the 10 per cent tariffs are 'here to stay' despite UK pushback. Under the terms of the current agreement, tariff rates on imports of British cars to the US fell to 10 per cent, down from 27.5 per cent, for up to 100,000 vehicles a year. The British aerospace sector was also spared from Mr Trump's 10 per cent tariff. Last month, Mr Reynolds said he has 'no doubt' that the US will lower 25 per cent tariffs on British steel and aluminium imports, which are yet to kick in. A White House source said Howard Lutnick, the US commerce secretary, would determine a quota of steel and aluminium products that could enter the US without being subject to the 25 per cent tariff. Uncertainty still hangs over drug makers amid Mr Trump's demands for them to move factories to the US. The US president said on Tuesday he would impose tariffs on pharmaceutical imports 'probably at the end of the month', adding: 'We're going to start off with a low tariff and give the pharmaceutical companies a year or so to build, and then we're going to make it a very high tariff.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Moves to ban ‘exploitative' unpaid internships a step closer
Ministers launched a call for evidence into the practice, saying it formed part of its plans for the biggest upgrade in workers' rights in a generation. The Government said internships offered young people invaluable experience as they build their careers, but added that when they were unpaid or paid below the national minimum wage, they created barriers to equal opportunity based on where people live, how old they are, or their social background. Unpaid internships are already largely banned under current law, when they are not part of an educational or training course, but ministers said they wanted to strengthen protections by gathering more evidence on how unpaid internships affect young people, and how businesses use them to assess candidates. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 'Every young person deserves the chance to build their career through quality work experience, but good employers are still being undercut by those exploiting interns by illegally asking them to work for free. 'Our Plan for Change seeks to break down barriers to opportunity, which is why we will strengthen protections for younger workers so that internships are accessible to everyone, ensuring they have the foundations to build a strong and successful career.' Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said: 'Internships provide a strong platform from which to build a career, allowing young people to learn new skills and giving employers a pipeline of future talent to hire from to grow their business. 'Employers should not be taking advantage of the opportunities on offer by not paying their interns. 'This move will help us crack down on those not following the rules, so that the next generation of interns are able to gain that crucial experience whilst earning a fair wage.' Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, said: 'Taking action on internships with low or no pay is absolutely the right thing to do. 'We've found that 61% of internships undertaken by recent graduates were unpaid or underpaid, effectively excluding those who can't rely on financial support from family. 'Employers will benefit from the wider pool of talent available to them, and three quarters of employers told us a ban wouldn't impact the number of opportunities they provide. 'Today's announcement marks a significant step in the right direction.' The call for evidence will run for 12 weeks. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: 'Unpaid internships lock working-class kids out of jobs and opportunities, depriving them of the chance others take for granted. 'Young people trying to get started in their career are missing out on their dream jobs because they simply cannot afford to work for nothing. 'That's why we are taking action, and this call for evidence is the first step in delivering proper fairness and opportunity to young workers. We want to hear about people's experiences so we can build the evidence and act on this issue, creating the change that is needed.'
