UK Unemployment Hits Highest Rate in Nearly Five Years; Ukraine Pays for Sperm Freezing Amid Demographic Crisis
LONDON - Unemployment in the United Kingdom reached its highest level in almost five years at the end of 2025, according to official figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The unemployment rate climbed to 5.2% in the three months leading up to December, up from 5.1% in the previous period. Simultaneously, Ukraine is grappling with a severe demographic crisis, prompting the government to fund sperm freezing for its troops.
The ONS data revealed that young people are disproportionately affected by the rise in unemployment, with the rate for those aged 16 to 24 reaching 16.1%, the highest in over a decade. While wages continued to rise faster than prices for those employed, the rate of wage growth slowed. Many businesses have curbed hiring, citing measures in recent budgets.
Across the globe, Ukraine faces a significant demographic challenge, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict with Russia. "Our men are dying. The Ukrainian gene pool is dying. This is about the survival of our nation," said a soldier serving with Ukraine's National Guard, speaking by phone from the front lines. The government's initiative to fund sperm freezing is aimed at preserving the nation's future.
In other news, the UK government's decision to freeze tax thresholds until 2031, as announced in the Autumn Budget, could lead to higher tax payments for many, even with rising salaries. A tax calculator is available to help individuals assess the impact on their take-home pay.
Elsewhere, the technology sector is also facing developments. Chinese tech giant ByteDance has agreed to curb its AI video-making tool, Seedance, following legal threats from Disney and complaints from other entertainment companies. Videos created using the app have sparked concerns over copyright infringement.
Meanwhile, the UK government is also taking action to address online safety. Sir Keir Starmer pledged to respond more quickly to close loopholes in laws designed to protect children online, particularly concerning AI chatbots. The government is also considering measures to preserve data on a child's phone in the event of their death.
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