AGP Executive Report

Job Cuts in Auto: BMW will cut several thousand jobs in Germany by end-2027 via voluntary redundancy, targeting administration and development (production excluded), with workforce shrinkage of about 8,000 as China demand weakens. EU Budget Fight: Germany’s Merz told Ireland in Dublin the EU budget should be cut by several hundred billion euros, rejecting the Commission’s expansion plans and pushing for across-the-board reductions. Trade & Textiles: The EU imposed definitive anti-dumping duties of 60–67.6% on polyamide yarn imports from China, citing harm to EU producers and jobs in several countries. AI & HR/Business Tech: Factorial, an HR-to-AI business platform, is expanding in South-Eastern Europe after a Series D round valuing it at $2.5bn, while Europe prepares to enforce its AI rules. Youth Employment in Britain: Andy Burnham outlined a youth training overhaul that boosts technical routes alongside academics, aiming to tackle high NEET levels in an AI-shaped jobs market. Work Conditions in Greece: A new report says Greece has the longest working hours in the EU, with 11.6% of workers clocking 49+ hours weekly. Wildfire Disruption: France’s evacuations near Bordeaux and wider fire pressure are disrupting regional economies and workforces, adding strain to public services. Football Leadership (HR angle): Zidane takes over as France coach and Mancini returns to Italy, underscoring how major sporting roles can rapidly reshape staffing and careers.

Football Leadership: Zinedine Zidane was appointed France head coach on a four-year deal, replacing Didier Deschamps and taking charge for Nations League matches and Euro 2028 qualifying. National Team Turnaround: Italy reappointed Roberto Mancini for a second spell, with Claudio Ranieri named technical director after Paolo Maldini stepped down; the move follows FIGC chaos and Andrea Pirlo being blocked over links to a Russian betting firm. Workplace Health: Germany’s plan to tighten sick-note rules could miss the root causes of high absenteeism, with researchers pointing to mental health strain and deteriorating conditions in healthcare and education. EU AI Oversight: The European Commission’s AI enforcement powers kick in as the AI Act reaches its second anniversary, with the EU AI Office able to demand documentation and impose major fines. Wildfire Disruption: France ordered thousands more evacuations as major wildfires spread near Bordeaux, while EU firefighting support ramps up across southwest Europe. Hiring & Skills: Britain’s Andy Burnham unveiled a youth training overhaul with a new apprenticeship bursary and extra college places aimed at an AI-shaped jobs market. Corporate Restructuring: GSK will close its Stevenage R&D hub and open a £400m, 1,000-job site in Cambridge, while Luno cuts about 20% of global staff in a pivot toward institutional products. EU Funding for Inclusion: €1.69m EU support will expand Croatia’s Josipovac Rehabilitation Centre, adding day care, therapy services, and disability employment workshops.

Youth Employment & Welfare Reform (UK): UK PM Andy Burnham is set to tighten the link between schooling and work, with plans for pupils from Year 10 to combine core subjects with technical education tied to local job openings, as the government targets record NEET levels and signals tougher hurdles for DWP benefit claimants. Corporate Restructuring (Germany/Europe): Porsche will cut about 1 in 5 jobs by 2035, with 9,000 roles axed under Volkswagen-led cost moves amid weak demand and China/EV pressure, while site guarantees aim to avoid compulsory redundancies. Employer Branding (Europe): EBClub and EBN are merging to build a global employer branding community, expanding events, learning and networking for HR and talent teams. Defence Industry (Romania): Romania’s defence employers’ organisation backs Rheinmetall’s investment push to expand national defence production capacity. Education Mobility (EU/Africa): The EU urges 2026 Erasmus Mundus scholarship beneficiaries from Ghana to return home with skills to drive development. Labour Market Tech (UK): Made Smarter South East-backed manufacturers plan 50 new jobs after investing £563k in AI, robotics and digital tools. Sports & Careers (Italy): Italy’s national team coaching plans are thrown into fresh uncertainty after Andrea Pirlo withdraws amid controversy over a Russian betting sponsorship tie, with FIGC leadership also shaken by Maldini and Leonardo resignations.

Italy Football Shake-Up: Andrea Pirlo is ruled out as Italy coach after backlash over his Fonbet sponsorship links to Russia; the FIGC crisis deepened as technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo resigned just 16 days into the rebuild. Automotive Job Cuts: Porsche says it will cut another 5,000 jobs in Germany by 2035, adding to earlier Stuttgart reductions for a Germany total near 8,900, with measures via attrition and voluntary schemes. Workplace Tech & Skills: BCG reports AI is changing jobs fast: 72% of workers say AI has shifted skills expectations, and many spend more time managing AI than doing tasks. EU Hiring Needs: Germany published a list of five high-demand roles for 2026, led by physicians, engineers and IT specialists, urging qualified foreign workers to match shortages. Safety & HR Practice: A study highlights how managers should deliver feedback more specifically and in writing ahead of meetings to improve how it’s received. Logistics & Jobs: DHL will acquire Baltic parcel carrier Venipak, folding operations into DHL eCommerce and planning investment in staff and sorting capacity. UK Science Funding: Jodrell Bank faces major funding cuts that could end key radio astronomy work by 2028. Security & Law: Germany is reviewing how suspended sentences are granted after the Berlin Pride attacker avoided jail.

Infrastructure Jobs: France approved a second phase of its New Caledonia recovery plan, adding €84.7m for 50 infrastructure and development projects aimed at rebuilding the local economy, creating jobs, and improving services. Export & Skills: Georgia’s agrifood sector is setting up a permanent public-private export facilitation platform with EU-backed support, targeting EU market access and compliance. Pensions to Startups: UK pension funds are preparing a new £1bn Scale-up Fund to back early-stage science and tech firms, tying savers’ money to “reindustrialise Britain” and future job creation. Workplace Health: Germany’s sick-note crackdown is drawing pushback as researchers warn it may treat symptoms, not causes, with mental health strains and poor conditions in healthcare and education driving absenteeism. Regional Pay Gap: Spain’s Canary Islands kept their spot among the lowest-paid regions despite record tourism, with average annual pay at €23,264 in 2025. Labour & Mobility: easyJet will launch Bristol–Strasbourg winter flights, boosting regional connectivity and festive travel demand. Energy Storage Growth: Jinko ESS and everyray signed a 100 MWh battery supply deal to accelerate utility-scale storage across Central Europe. Defence Industry: BAE Systems won a £708m contract extension supporting Britain’s next-gen combat air programme, sustaining thousands of engineering roles.

Wildfire Crisis: France and Spain are facing fast-moving wildfires with mass evacuations and emergency measures, including talk of total evacuation scenarios near Bordeaux and Madrid-area lockdowns as smoke and unpredictable winds worsen. UK Labour & Jobs: New PM Andy Burnham says he’ll put Britain’s interests first in dealings with Donald Trump, while the early policy agenda raises questions about how spending will be funded—an issue that matters for employers and hiring plans. EU Digital Safety: The European Commission says TikTok hasn’t done enough to protect minors’ privacy and safety, with potential fines up to 6% of global revenue under the Digital Services Act. Disability Employment: In the UK, lawmakers are pushing for business-to-business mentoring to help autistic adults into work, citing a major gap in full-time employment rates. Labour Market Pressure: A report highlights how students and graduates are struggling to find paid roles, with far fewer openings than applications. Citizenship Rules: Spain has published nationality residency timelines, ranging from 1 to 10 years depending on origin and circumstances. Instant Payments (Balkans): Bosnia and Herzegovina’s instant-payment system is set to move money in seconds 24/7, aiming to improve cash flow for businesses. EU–US Trade Tensions: Trump threatens “substantial” tariffs after EU fines on US tech firms, raising the risk of job and wage impacts across Europe.

UK Politics & Defence: Andy Burnham says he’ll defend Britain’s national interest even if it means publicly disagreeing with Donald Trump, while refusing to commit to a timetable for raising defence spending to 3% of GDP. Workforce Development: More than 100 hospital staff in the UK were recognised for apprenticeships, degrees and further professional development, highlighting career pathways inside the NHS. Housing & Mobility: A Prague comparison finds public transport is strong, but home ownership is among the least affordable in Europe and rents take a huge share of income. EU Security Training: EU ambassadors visited Ukrainian training in Poland under EUMAM Ukraine, assessing urban combat and tactical medical drills. Digital Hiring Risk: A report warns employers are using AI to scan candidates’ online histories faster and deeper, turning old posts into potential hiring liabilities. Child Safety Online: France has adopted a statutory ban on social media access for children under 15, with phased implementation starting September 1. EU–US Trade Tensions: Trump threatens “substantial” tariffs after EU fines on US tech firms, escalating pressure on jobs and wages.

Gatwick Ground Handling Strike Risk: Unite says Menzies staff on the Shell contract at London Gatwick want a 4.5% pay rise (plus overtime parity) after rejecting a 3.5% offer, raising the odds of disruption for airlines including Ryanair and Wizz Air. Germany Jobs Pressure: Germany’s industry is shedding about 15,000 jobs each month, with the BDI blaming US tariff policy and China competition, while urging investment and AI-led transformation. EU Platform Safety: The European Commission says TikTok hasn’t met Digital Services Act standards for minors’ privacy and safety, with potential fines up to 6% of revenue. EU Migration & Work Visas: UK Home Office powers let some Islamic bookshops sponsor “skilled worker” visas, despite sales of antisemitic and radicalisation-linked titles. Skilled Migration Push in Germany: Germany is leaning on skilled labour migration to plug gaps from an ageing workforce and shifting industry needs. Wildfire Evacuations (France/Spain): Extreme fires have forced 270,000+ people to flee in France and Spain, with major emergency response including military support. Tech & Chips: Trust Stamp joins an EU semiconductor initiative to bind verified human identity to trusted chips. UK Defence Funding Signal: New Chancellor John Healey backs billions more for defence, aligning with PM Andy Burnham’s commitment to raise spending.

Germany Jobs & HR: Jürgen Klopp has been appointed Germany head coach on a four-year deal through Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup, replacing Julian Nagelsmann after Germany’s World Cup exit—Klopp also set a hard boundary for media intrusion, saying he’ll quit if his family is targeted. Italy Coaching & Talent Pipeline: Andrea Pirlo is set to become Italy’s next national team head coach after Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti declined, with a long-term rebuilding mission led by Paolo Maldini and Leonardo. EU Sanctions & Governance: The EU has sanctioned FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich, prompting his resignation, while Viswanathan Anand steps in as interim president. Workplace Policy (Netherlands): The Netherlands has enacted the “More Security for Flex Workers” law, ending zero-hours contracts and tightening rules on successive temporary contracts from 2028. Pay Transparency (EU/UK): The EU Pay Transparency Directive is rolling out unevenly across member states, creating compliance pressure for employers. Labour Market (EU): Eurostat reports 31.6m EU jobs tied to foreign final demand in 2024, with US trade the biggest driver. AI Skills (Netherlands/Europe): Indeed finds AI is increasingly showing up in non-tech job titles across Europe, especially in marketing, customer service and training roles. Border Delays (Travel): British travellers report passport control queues of 1–2 hours at Tenerife South and Lanzarote, linked to the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Climate & Emergency Response: Wildfires have forced mass evacuations in southwest France and Spain, with EU support requested as blazes merge near Madrid. Security & Drugs: Liberia seized about $317m worth of cocaine bound for Europe, arresting suspects with passports from Spain/Colombia and Serbia.

Germany Football Jobs & HR: Jürgen Klopp has been appointed Germany head coach on a contract through the 2030 World Cup, with Pep Lijnders, Peter Krawietz and Sven Bender in his backroom team, plus Per Mertesacker taking a new DFB sport role from January—an unusual staffing reshuffle as Germany tries to rebuild after another World Cup disappointment. Workforce Restructuring: Porsche is reportedly preparing another round of job cuts in Germany, with estimates around 5,000 more roles as sales weaken and costs rise. EU Skills & Mobility: Moldova is moving to integrate into the EU system for recognizing professional qualifications, including automatic recognition for key medical professions, aiming to simplify access for doctors, nurses and others. Child Safety & Compliance: France’s under-15 social media ban is set to take effect from September 1, with EU-level follow-on proposals expected—important for HR and youth-facing employers planning policy and training. Trade & Industry Impact: EU tariff-rate quotas are being challenged by Ukraine’s Interpipe as the company says quota calculations and restrictions will bite soon, affecting supply and costs for European customers. UK-EU Economic Link: London’s Sadiq Khan urges closer EU ties after research suggests EU re-entry could boost London’s economy by £2.9bn annually.

Defence Jobs in Bavaria: Rheinmetall began construction of one of Europe’s biggest modern powder plants at Aschau am Inn, with investment in the hundreds of millions and plans to grow the workforce by several hundred to about 1,400, with gradual production from 2027. Energy & Hiring: UK energy digitalisation is pushing demand for flexibility and smarter grid coordination, while in Britain Flogas won approval for a new LPG storage depot in Peterborough expected to create at least nine jobs, and Myenergi says it will hire factory, support and installer roles as it ramps up EV chargers and home battery production. EU Sanctions & Work Impacts: The EU expanded Russia sanctions, targeting banks and crypto platforms, while an Irish MP argued “external management” could protect jobs at Aughinish Alumina if sanctions hit. Travel & Border Friction: Ryanair warned of long queues at 16 European airports as the EU Entry/Exit System rolls out biometric checks. Automotive Industry: Geely and Ford formalised a Spain cooperation deal at Ford’s Valencia plant, signalling deeper EV production and local industrial investment. Football & National Coaching: Italy’s federation confirmed it approached Carlo Ancelotti before Pep Guardiola as it searches for a new coach. Workplace Safety: A UK rail-focused piece calls for stronger protection for passengers and staff amid rising assaults and harassment.

EU Digital Privacy vs Child Safety: EU governments temporarily back “chat scanning” for suspected CSAM, keeping an end-to-end encrypted carve-out, despite privacy groups warning of a dangerous precedent. EU Antitrust & AI Data Control: The European Commission clears the Paramount–Warner Bros. deal with conditions, while also pushing new Google restrictions that could reshape who controls AI and search data. Work & Jobs Signals: Poland reports unemployment at 5.8% in June (still higher year-on-year), and Ryanair plans 400 high-skill jobs via a €50m Shannon Airport MRO and Engineering Academy expansion. Restructuring Watch: Centrica/British Gas warns on gas storage and cuts 1,300 jobs; Telefónica Germany targets up to 1,100 job losses; Vermila Studios lays off 19 staff amid closure risk. Security & Compliance: Ireland will share its alumina export investigation findings on Russia with the EU; Germany detains a lone suspect after a fatal bank stabbing in Regensburg. Tech Leadership: IDnow appoints Philippe Morel as CEO as it expands identity and fraud-prevention services. Energy & Policy: EU agrees a new Russia sanctions package with a Greek LNG carve-out.

Workforce Restructuring: UK Foreign Office staff begin strike action over plans for up to 2,000 job cuts, with unions warning compulsory redundancies could hit 15–25% of roles. Pay & Equality: A new EU pay-gap analysis puts women’s annual earnings about €3,900 lower than men’s, underlining the cost of slow pay-transparency enforcement. Immigration & Labour Markets: EU immigrant employment hit a record high in 2025, but gaps remain for non-EU women and highly educated migrants, with Germany still far below native employment rates. Migrant Farm Labour: Italy faces renewed scrutiny of “caporalato” after four migrant farm workers were killed in Calabria, spotlighting exploitation risks in recruitment and housing. Corporate Job Cuts: Diageo’s new boss “Drastic Dave” Lewis is preparing major cuts in Edinburgh as the drinks group reshapes operations ahead of an August 6 update. Border Tech & Travel: Getlink warns EU biometric checks for the Channel Tunnel’s Entry/Exit System could slip beyond September 6 due to unstable software. Nuclear Security: Germany’s Lower Saxony approved a Rosatom-linked nuclear fuel project with strict limits on Russian staff access and extra inspections. New Hiring: French VFX studio STIM opens a production centre in Spain’s Canary Islands, targeting 100+ jobs as recruitment starts.

AI Policy Shock in the UK: Andy Burnham named the UK’s first Cabinet-level AI minister, then abolished the science department that built the delivery machinery—sparking alarm across the tech sector. Border Bottleneck: Europe’s Entry/Exit System is turning summer travel into multi-hour queues at major hubs, with knock-on delays for flights and connections. EU Competition Watch: The European Commission cleared Paramount’s bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, but forced changes to a Universal distribution partnership. Labour Mobility vs Growth: Poland and Hungary are tightening foreign-worker rules, a move economists warn could slow growth while businesses still need talent. Workplace Health & Inclusion: France’s film funding will cut support for productions missing gender targets, with a new parity penalty/bonus. Corporate Restructuring: Porsche may expand job cuts by another 5,000, as margins slide and electrification plans stall. Jobs & Skills Pipeline: Teesside’s £50m aerospace campus deal promises 250 skilled jobs, while a Ghana technical university launched a career fair backed by EU skills funding. Security & Mobility: Germany and Poland are reinforcing eastern borders with engineering support, and document recognition rules are being simplified between Moldova and Germany to speed up study and employment paperwork.

EU-China Balancing Act: China’s Wang Yi urged the EU to keep trade “rational and objective” and avoid politicising ties, as Brussels toughens its China stance. EU Fashion Waste Rules: A new EU ban stops large fashion firms from destroying unsold clothes and shoes, pushing more items to discounts, resale and charity. Poland & Hungary Labour Curbs: Both countries tighten foreign-worker rules amid public pressure, a move economists warn could slow growth. UK Jobs Data: UK payrolled employees fell 85,000 year-on-year and unemployment rose to 4.9%, with vacancies easing to 712,000. Cybersecurity Hiring Shift: Employers are redefining cybersecurity roles as AI and new frameworks change what skills they hire for. AliExpress Record EU Fine: The EU hit AliExpress with a €550m DSA penalty over illegal and unsafe products, raising compliance and staffing pressure. AI Infrastructure Deal: Mistral and Microsoft expand European AI compute, aiming to scale data-centre capacity and model access. Renewables Jobs Boost: Scotland’s Whitelee wind farm plans repowering to double capacity, with hundreds of jobs expected. Homeland Security Expansion (Germany): Germany’s Bundeswehr is growing its homeland security division to well over 10,000 soldiers by 2035. Space Merger Warning: Leonardo warns EU antitrust remedies could derail a planned space merger that could employ ~25,000 across Europe. Workplace Safety (Italy): Rome fentanyl theft prompts tighter opioid storage and supply-chain checks.

EU Tech Sovereignty: Poland plans a “technological sovereignty test” for big public IT buys, aiming to cut strategic dependence on US vendors while keeping control of critical systems and data. Corporate Restructuring: Volkswagen says up to 140,000 jobs may go, with most cuts expected in Germany, as it weighs further cost reductions. EU Consumer Protection: The European Commission fined AliExpress €550m under the Digital Services Act for failing to curb illegal and unsafe products, with a required action plan due by Oct 20. Workforce & Mobility: Germany launched a remote-driven public shuttle at Düsseldorf Airport, using a new legal framework to help address driver shortages. Labour & Social Security: Albania–Italy pension applications are delayed as checks of work records and contributions move slowly. Public Sector & Jobs: Belarusian leader Lukashenka ordered tougher measures and said dismissed local officials must be able to find other jobs. Diplomacy & Staff Safety: France summoned Iran’s chargé d’affaires after French embassy staff were detained and one was assaulted in Tehran. Sports & Employment Angle: FIFA opened an investigation into the Spain–Argentina World Cup final scuffle, adding more uncertainty for staff and coaching teams.