Higher and degree apprenticeships have been found to be critical for skills supply, according to data released on apprenticeship trends earlier this week. This comes amid concerns that reduced funding for level 7 apprenticeships could harm growth. 

Sadiq Khan has kicked off Thursday with predictions that centre on a “lost decade” of lower employment and reduced investment that would result from a hard Brexit. Specifically, a study commissioned by the mayor estimates the loss of half a million UK jobs and nearly £50 billion in investment by 2030. For more big business news, try these on for size.

The big news this week is yesterday’s budget – the BBC provides a useful outline of the key points, which include the removal of stamp duty for first-time buyers on properties up to £300,000; £1.5 billion to be devoted to addressing universal credit concerns; and new measures to crackdown on tech giants which route their profits through low-tax countries (otherwise known as the “Google tax”).

Another month, another scandal about the tax – or rather lack of tax – arrangements of the rich and famous. This time, it’s what are being termed the Paradise Papers; leaked documents revealing the offshore business affairs of millions of individuals and companies, including some very high-profile names. For other economic news, read on.

The big news from this week has to be Sports Direct founder (and all-round nice guy) Mike Ashley snatching up troubled department store House of Fraser mere minutes after it announced its collapse into administration last Friday morning.

With people in the Midlands and the North of England in “dire need of early legal advice”, the Bar Council has called for the government to invest in local court systems ahead of today’s spending review.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has responded to pressure from women’s groups and MPs by promising that his government will revive a key domestic abuse bill that would have introduced protections for victims, but was cancelled due to his decision to shutdown Parliament.

Autumn tends to bring with it a renewed sense of vigour and the chance for a fresh start – make one of your autumn resolutions a commitment to honing your commercial awareness skills in a bid to impress future employers. Where to start? Look no further than this selection from the past week.

The digital court reform programme is designed to transform the UK’s justice system and how it operates.

A report funded by the Bar Council has strongly criticised the trend of legal executive advocates and solicitor-advocates.

Following UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement last Thursday, junior barristers have said that the support package for self-employed people unable to work because of coronavirus measures is “woefully insufficient” and has advised the Bar Council to challenge the government’s criteria.

Magic circle firm Allen & Overy LLP retained 37 of its 40 trainees, revealing a 93% autumn retention rate – all 40 of the firm’s trainees applied for newly-qualified solicitor roles, with 37 offers being made and accepted. 

The Bar Standards Board is planning to make written pupillage agreements compulsory to combat “inappropriate behaviour”, citing its 2016 ‘Women at the Bar’ report in which 40% of women barristers reported experiencing harassment at work.

MPs have sharply criticised the government’s courts modernisation programme because it “risks excluding the most vulnerable in our society from access to justice,” and called for a halt in the process of court closures.

Slater & Gordon will close its London office after announcing that remote working will become the norm for its almost 2,000 staff once lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett has authorised 65 retired judges, half of whom are in their 70s, to oversee cases in an attempt to reduce the backlog of 63,000 cases. 

Barristers are being encouraged to donate money to an emergency hardship fund, following a prediction from the Bar’s representative body that the demand for financial help will exceed supply.

Quotas are needed to address the overwhelming and continuing male dominance of legal, political, media and arts roles, the Fawcett Society has said.