Department for Business and Trade Call for Evidence: Labour Market Enforcement Strategy
Earlier this year, the Department for Business and Trade launched a call for evidence in respect of the labour market enforcement strategy, and last month published their report: United Kingdom Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2025 to 2026. This publication was presented to Parliament in July 2025 and is potentially the final strategy before the establishment […]
Parental leave and pay review: call for evidence
Earlier this month, the Government announced a formal review into parental leave and pay to understand how it could better support working families. They are calling for evidence to help consider the UK’s current system for leave and pay, which includes: Maternity leave and pay Paternity leave and pay Adoption leave and pay Shared parental […]
Timetable for public consultations announced
Timetable for public consultations announced Many of the reforms set out in the Employment Rights Bill will require either further legislation or the development of new/existing Codes of Practice. As such, a key stage in the implementation process is to consult on the detail of policy and implementation for the changes proposed. In the Government’s […]
Employment Rights Bill Latest – 5 September 2025
Parliament returned after its summer recess this week, and yesterday, 4 September, the Employment Rights Bill (the ERB) completed its progress through the House of Lords and returned to the House of Commons for consideration of the amendments that the House of Lords had agreed. This is the last step in the process before the […]
Employment Rights Bill update!
With Parliament now finished for the summer, it is likely to be September/October that the Employment Rights Bill is given Royal Assent. We already have a commitment from the Government as to what will be introduced and when, as described in their roadmap for delivering change (read our full article for further information and find […]
What classifies an individual as a worker vs self-employed?
Overview The primary matter considered in this employment tribunal case was whether Bolt drivers were classed as self-employed or workers. The Employment Rights Act 1996, section 230(3) defines a worker as: “an individual who has entered into or works under a contract or any other contract whether express or implied and whether oral or in […]
‘Simpler Recycling’ in the Workplace in England
In England, as part of the ‘Simpler Recycling’ initiative which stems from the Environment Act 2021, all businesses and non-domestic premises — effective from 2025 — are required to separate their waste into four waste streams: food waste paper and card mixed recyclables (plastic, metal, glass) non-recyclables Deadlines for Compliance Micro-firms with fewer than 10 […]
Organisations fined more than £4m for unfair working practices when setting freelancer pay
In 2013, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which is a non-ministerial department, was established with the purpose of promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. As an authority, it also plays a significant role in helping to determine if a proposed merger or acquisition could limit consumer choice. Freelancer Pay Investigation by the CMA […]
Employment Status & Rights: HMRC Research for Employers
HM Revenue and Customs commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to carry out independent research on employment statuses from the perspective of employment rights. They surveyed 8,767 UK adults, aged 18 to 64, in May and June 2023 through online and telephone surveys and fieldwork. What Is Employment Status? In this context, a […]
How is AI impacting the UK labour market?
With AI becoming more prevalent in employment, we are starting to see the evidence of its impact on employment both in terms of people practices, but also on the UK labour market. Entry-Level Job Decline Since the Launch of ChatGPT In a recent study by recruitment firm Adzuna, their research found that the number of […]
Menopause in the workplace – Big changes coming for large employers
Earlier this month, the Government announced that from 2027, menopause action plans will be mandatory for organisations employing 250+ employees. Back in 2021, the Women and Equalities Committee looked at the extent to which discrimination connected to the menopause occurs in the workplace, and how government policy and workplace practices could be improved to support […]
New Guidance for Agency Workers
HMRC Issues New Guidance on Tax Avoidance for Agency Workers and Contractors As part of HMRC’s ongoing efforts to tackle tax avoidance, it has released updated guidance specifically aimed at agency workers and contractors. This new information is designed to help individuals identify whether they may have been involved in a tax avoidance scheme—particularly when […]
New advice on neurodiversity at work
Acas has published new guidance to help employers raise awareness of neurodiversity at work and create more inclusive workplaces. Understanding and supporting neurodiverse employees is essential for creating an environment where everyone can thrive. What is Neurodiversity? Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how people’s brains process information, learn, and behave. It recognises that […]
Employment Rights Bill: Potential 2025 Reforms & Employer Actions
The Employment Rights Bill 2025 continues to progress through the House of Commons Committee Stage, with the Public Bill Committee now preparing its report after reviewing written and oral evidence from various groups, including employers, professional bodies, charities, trade unions, and individuals. Once the report is published, the Bill will proceed to its third and […]
Key Update on Employment Rights Bill
Today, 3 March, the Business and Trade Committee published its report “Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill”, a comprehensive analysis of the proposed employment reforms. It follows the recent public consultation in which they gathered both oral and written evidence from employers (including HR Solutions), professional bodies and trade unions in relation to the proposed […]
Commencement date for the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act announced
Earlier this month, the Government confirmed that the long-awaited Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act will come into force on 6 April 2025. This new legislation grants eligible employees the statutory right to a period of paid neonatal care leave, helping parents manage time off when their baby requires neonatal care. If your business currently […]
Calculating Annual Leave and Entitlement: New rules and legal changes
In this webinar we take a look at understanding the rules surrounding annual leave, including recent legal updates and their practical implications
Employment Rights Bill Update: What Employers Need to Know (February 2025)
The latest version of the Employment Rights Bill has been published (which you can access here) and it incorporates several amendments submitted by MPs as part of the Parliament Committee Stage. We wrote previously about how the majority of the reforms will not take effect before 2026, providing employers the necessary time to plan and […]
What to Know About the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill
Disclaimer: This article discusses domestic abuse, a sensitive and distressing topic. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) , published 27 November 2024, reports that 2.3 million people aged 16 years and over suffered from domestic abuse in the year ending March 2024. The figures show that it remains predominantly women who are the […]
9 Essential HR Policies Every Small Business Needs
Effective HR policies are the backbone of any successful business, regardless of size. They establish clear expectations, protect your organisation, and ensure compliance with employment laws. Here are nine essential HR policies every small employer should have in place: Essential HR Policies Absence notification and sick pay: a clearly written absence policy will help your […]