Economy and business

The significance of home-based businesses for entrepreneurship in cities is underestimated, and their needs largely ignored by policymakers, suggest researchers.

Flexible working is not necessarily helping workers to relieve their work-family conflict, suggests a recent report into work autonomy, flexibility and work-life balance across Europe. Workers may end up working longer hours, or worry about work when not working.

The proportion of young adults who were homeowners by their early thirties fell sharply between 1991 and 2011, with people in their early thirties three times as likely to rent in 2011 compared with 1991.

Bespoke customs union, the Chequers proposal, a Canada deal, association agreement or no deal: An at-a-glance overview of the different options and their likely impact.

Research shows little evidence that organisations have begun to work through the implications of an ageing workforce – but employers are helping nobody with silence on retirement.

Migrant entrepreneurs provide vital economic and social assets in deprived urban areas, says a study of four multi-ethnic high streets in deprived and culturally diverse parts of Birmingham, Bristol, Leicester and Manchester.

Start-ups are crucial to the growth of the UK economy, with nearly 600,000 companies established last year – but support is needed to sustain local businesses beyond the start-up phase.

The service sector comprises around 80% of the UK economy, using significant amounts of energy. Research informed the introduction of sustainable practices into the UK’s £6.2 billion hairdressing sector, reducing the carbon footprint of haircare salons.

Research evidence presented to the Supreme Court led to a unanimous ruling that employment tribunal fees of up to £1,200 for claimants, introduced in 2013, were unlawful.

Whether or not a student leaves home to study is strongly influenced by social and ethnic background, affecting career choices and local retention of skills after studies.