The Labour government is being urged to manage the rise of workplace automation carefully to prevent mass unemployment and deepening inequality. While retail has already lost 350,000 jobs in a decade, high employment costs are further accelerating the shift toward tech-driven labor. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey warns that, similar to the Industrial Revolution, robust training programs are essential to protect at-risk workers. Experts argue that without state intervention, the economic benefits of automation will favor the wealthy while leaving the most vulnerable behind.
Date: December 28, 2025. Source: theguardian.com