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 […]
Sponsor Guidance Changes in March & April 2026
Home Office updates to sponsor guidance in March and April 2026 have introduced a more demanding compliance framework for organisations holding a sponsor licence. The changes affect right to work checks, how sponsored workers’ salary is assessed and evidenced, and how workforce arrangements are viewed during compliance activity. These updates have been made through guidance […]
Govt Confirms April Employment Law Changes in New Regulations
The Government has published commencement regulations bringing a number of provisions under the Employment Rights Act 2025 into force from April 2026. While not a full implementation of the Act, the changes coming into effect next month introduce immediate compliance obligations and increase exposure across several core employment risk areas. The Employment Rights Act 2025 […]
Fair Work Agency Advisory Board Appointed Ahead of April Launch
The government has confirmed the appointment of the inaugural Advisory Board for the new Fair Work Agency, ahead of its formal launch on 7 April 2026. The appointments mark a key step in the rollout of a centralised labour market enforcement body, bringing together multiple existing enforcement functions under a single structure. A new […]
Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Confirmed from April 2026
Legislation has now been published confirming the introduction of Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave, a new statutory right that will take effect from 6 April 2026. The measure forms part of a broader package of family-related employment law reforms and is intended to address a gap in protection for employees who lose a partner shortly after […]
New £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for Employers
The government has announced a £1 billion youth employment package aimed at tackling rising levels of economic inactivity among 16 to 24-year-olds. Headline measures include a £3,000 payment to employers hiring certain young people, expanded subsidised job placements and changes to the apprenticeship system. While positioned as a major employment drive, the practical impact for […]
Home Office Sponsor Guidance Updated March 2026
The Home Office has updated the official sponsor guidance, introducing tighter compliance expectations for employers that hold a sponsor licence. The changes sit alongside recent Immigration Rules amendments and reflect a more interventionist approach to enforcement, with greater scrutiny of how organisations manage sponsored workers in practice. For HR teams and employers, the update affects […]
Employment Rights Act Reforms Could Increase Tribunal Claims
Forthcoming employment law reforms could lead to a rise in workplace disputes reaching the employment tribunal system, at a time when the courts already face significant caseload pressure, according to legal analysts. The concerns relate to the wider programme of employment reforms linked to the Employment Rights Act, which is being implemented through phased legislative […]
New “Two-Tier Workforce” Rules Planned for Public Sector Contracts
The UK government, alongside the Scottish and Welsh governments, is preparing a new regulatory framework aimed at preventing the emergence of “two-tier workforces” in outsourced public services. The reforms are expected to be implemented under powers contained in the Employment Rights Act 2025 and are currently anticipated to take effect from October 2026. The measures […]