UK Plans New Refugee Sponsorship Route for Employers
The UK government has announced plans to create a new sponsorship route allowing recognised refugees overseas to come to the UK through approved sponsors. The proposal forms part of a wider package of asylum reforms unveiled ahead of the publication of the Immigration and Asylum Bill. If implemented, it would equate to an unprecedented expansion […]
Employer Responsibilities During a Heatwave: HR Guide
Although the UK has no legal maximum workplace temperature, employers are still subject to extensive health and safety obligations that apply throughout periods of extreme weather. Employers’ Legal Duties During Extreme Heat The starting point is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which requires employers to take reasonably practicable steps […]
Reform UK’s Foreign Worker Tax Proposals: HR & Payroll Challenges
Reform UK has proposed a new employment tax regime that would increase the cost of employing foreign workers while reducing employment costs for British citizens. Under proposals announced by Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick, employers would pay lower National Insurance contributions for British workers while continuing to pay higher rates for non-British workers. The party has […]
Government Considers New Workplace Rights for Unpaid Carers
The government has launched a consultation on new workplace rights for unpaid carers, including potential reforms that could significantly expand existing employment protections. Announced during Carers Week, the proposals form part of Labour’s wider employment rights agenda and are intended to help more people remain in work while managing caring responsibilities. While no decisions have […]
World Cup 2026: Top 10 HR Headaches
Whether you’re a football fan or not, if you work in HR or have responsibility for managing people, there is a good chance at least one World Cup-related issue will land on your desk over the coming weeks. With the tournament set to attract huge audiences across the UK and worldwide, normal workplace routines will […]
Zero Hours Contract Reforms Move Closer: Update for HR
The government has launched a consultation on proposed reforms to zero hours contracts, including new rights to guaranteed hours and compensation for cancelled shifts. While the measures remain subject to consultation, HR teams may already need to start assessing how the proposals could affect workforce planning, scheduling practices and the use of flexible labour. Much […]
Sponsor Right to Work Checks: Home Office Reverses Changes
Changes made to sponsor guidance in March and April 2026 appeared to suggest that sponsors could be responsible for carrying out right to work checks on a broader group of workers, including individuals engaged through contractors and labour supply arrangements. The wording prompted concern across the HR and immigration compliance community, particularly among organisations with […]
Fit Note Reform Pilots Launched in Return-to-Work Push
The Government has launched new fit note reform pilots as part of a wider effort to tackle long-term sickness absence and reduce economic inactivity. From July 2026, selected areas of England will begin testing alternative approaches to the current fit note system, with ministers arguing that the existing process places too much emphasis on certifying […]
Employment Law Changes in 2026: Explained for HR
April 2026 brought in a suite of employment law changes directly impacting HR operations, affecting onboarding, absence management, employee relations and workforce planning. As key provisions under the Employment Rights Act 2025 have now come into force, alongside associated statutory updates, many workplace rights now arise earlier in the employment relationship, meaning risks will now […]
Tougher Holiday Pay Record-Keeping Rules Now In Force
Recent developments in employment law enforcement are bringing renewed attention to how employers record and retain annual leave data. While the obligation to keep adequate records is not new, expectations have tightened in practice, particularly following the April 2026 employment law changes and the launch of the Fair Work Agency. The focus is shifting from […]