NEWS
Serious cyberattacks rise by 129 % in 12 months
During the last year, significant cyberattacks in the UK rose by an alarming 129 %, with the National Cyber Security Centre handling around four major incidents every week. According to insurance experts, Everywhen, these attacks are a major threat to the business sector.
Neil D’ Mello, Everywhen’ s Client Director( South Division), said:“ Cyber-risk affects every level of society, from governments protecting essential services and businesses navigating fluctuating markets and supply chain delays, through to organisations fighting to keep their operations running. These high stakes were evident in recent large-scale cyberattacks, which had major consequences.”
After the 2025 cyberattack on M & S, the retailer’ s market capitalisation fell by around £ 1 billion, and customer data was allegedly stolen. This resulted in collective legal action, as people began seeking compensation for their compromised data. Last year, Jaguar Land Rover also reported a £ 485 million pre tax loss for the quarter versus a £ 398 million profit, a year earlier, after being forced to shut down networks and halt highly automated production lines for weeks.
D’ Mello added:“ When something on this scale occurs, having the right advice and protection in place is key to preventing and mitigating losses.”
As the frequency and severity of cyberattacks rises, so does the UK government’ s determination to tackle them. A dedicated Cyber Action Plan has been announced and the government has committed £ 210 million to strengthening public services against cyberthreats.
Zero-hour contracts reach new record high as workers wait for new rights to arrive
The Work Foundation at Lancaster University – a leading think tank for improving working lives – warns that the number of people on zero-hour contracts has reached record levels and calls for the government to deliver new rights for workers in early 2027.
Analysis shows that 181,000 more people are on zero-hour contracts than when the government was elected in July 2024. This growth has particularly impacted young people aged 16-24 and those not in full time education.
New analysis of ONS data shows there are 1.23 million people on zero-hour contracts. Researchers state that recent increases indicate that employers have not reduced their reliance on precarious work with figures hitting the highest level on record.
The think tank says this reinforces the need to deliver the new rights in the Employment Rights Act in full, as soon as possible.
While zero-hour contracts have previously been heralded as the solution to flexibility around education or childcare, analysis shows that a record high of 943,000 zero-hour contract workers are not in full time education( 77 %). The new data found:
• One in eight young workers in the UK are on these contracts in 2025( 12.5 %). They are 5.1 times more likely to be on zerohour contracts than other age groups( 12.5 % vs 2.44 % of those aged 25 +)
• Women are 1.2 times more likely be on zero-hour contracts( 54 % vs 46 %)
• A third of zero-hour contract workers – a record high – depend on them for full time work( 32.8 %), with many wanting more hours and a new and / or additional job.
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