News & Blog

Police Chief Slams Plan to Scrap DEI Policies

Serena Kennedy, retiring Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, criticised Reform UK’s proposal to abolish diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, calling it "ludicrous." She warned that removing DEI strategies would deepen trust issues in policing, particularly among ethnic minorities and women, and could exacerbate tensions fueled by misinformation. Find out more here

Editors warn publications aimed at LGBTQ+ audiences face discrimination from advertisers

Tag Warner, the chief executive of Gay Times, said his publication, which had been growing digitally in the US, had lost 80% of its advertisers in the past year. It has also lost in excess of £5m in expected advertiser revenue. Find out more here.

Staggering Underdiagnosis of Autistic Adults in the UK

A comprehensive review from King's College London reveals a shocking level of underdiagnosis among autistic adults: around 90% of individuals aged 40–59, and 97% of those over 60, remain undiagnosed. This has serious repercussions, including poorer physical and mental health, heightened social isolation, and a reduced life expectancy of about six years compared to non-autistic peers. The study underscores the urgent need for increased diagnostic services and a lifespan-based approach to autism support. Find out more here.

Persistent Gender Imbalance in Corporate Law Firms

Data spanning 2019–2024 shows that UK corporate and finance law firms still overwhelmingly favor men in the highest-paid, dealmaking partner roles. A striking 80% of these top positions were filled by men, with women reaching a peak of only 25% in any single year. While the overall share of women in partner roles has crept up to 37% by 2023, sectors like private equity lag far behind at just 15% female hires. The report points to entrenched barriers—from caregiving burdens to biased networking opportunities—affecting women's career advancement. Find out more here.

How to show effective allyship in an Employee Resource Group

ERGs are such an essential component of creating a supportive and inclusive workplace. They encourage employees to connect with others who share similar identities, experiences, or interests. When it comes to ERGs focused on marginalized communities, having authentic allies is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a crucial factor. Find out more here.

MP says ‘Parliament building inaccessible to me'

Marie Tidball MP  - The disability campaigner was elected as Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire last July, and says that while getting into politics is difficult, getting around the Houses of Parliament is hard when you have a disability. Find out more here.

LSB (Legal Services Board) taking action to address concerns raised in the independent review of bullying and harassment at the Bar

Bar Council has published Baroness Harriet Harman’s report, following her independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar. 
 

The review was commissioned last year by the Bar Council in response to research into the extent of these behaviours and its impact on the profession. The joint LPMA and IBC report, published in November 2023 also found that bullying, harassment and sexual harassment were impacting chambers’ employees. Find out more here.

Changes to the Employment Rights Bill with Menopause Action Plans set to become mandatory

Menopause Action Plans are moving from optional to unavoidable. Under the updated Employment Rights Bill, they’re set to become mandatory for employers with over 250 staff. This marks a decisive shift: menopause can no longer be treated as an add-on to wellbeing, it must now be embedded into core EDI and workforce strategies. Find out more here.