Locums, accepting pressure, give a lot back (8)
I believe the answer is:
stopgaps
'locums' is the definition.
(locum can mean a stopgap or substitute)
'give a lot back' is the wordplay.
'give' becomes 'spag' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a lot' becomes 'pots' (pots can mean a lot of something).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'spag'+'pots'='spagpots'
'spagpots' back-to-front is 'STOPGAPS'.
'accepting pressure' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
(Other definitions for stopgaps that I've seen before include "Temporary or impromptu substitutes" , "Temporary or emergency substitutes" , "Temporary substitutes or expedients" , "Temporary measures" , "Temporary expedients, for closing holes?" .)