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The new Fair Work Agency – latest developments and union priorities
The new Fair Work Agency aims to strengthen enforcement of workers’ rights. This blog explains what it means, what’s changing next, and the key priorities unions will be pushing to ensure it delivers for working people.
Employment Rights Act 2025: What’s changing from 6 April
A further wave of employment rights introduced under the Employment Rights Act 2025 comes into force today.
Deadlock is broken – Employment Rights Bill passes
The Employment Rights Bill was finally passed by parliament. This marks a historic day for working people as the government’s flagship workers’ rights Bill has finally broken its House of Lords deadlock. Working people will enjoy more security, better pay and dignity at work thanks to this Bill, from now and for years to come.
Protecting labour rights, human rights and the environment in global value chains
The Employment Rights Bill will greatly improve conditions for UK workers. Groundbreaking new rights will improve job security, strengthen labour market enforcement and facilitate greater collective bargaining through new union access rights and a Fair Pay Agreement in social care.
Government crackdown on umbrella companies will protect workers
The government is taking much needed action to address tax avoidance among umbrella companies.
Extending protection from unfair sackings
Millions of workers, particularly Black and young workers, are given minimal legal protection against being dismissed at an employer’s whim.
It's time for the right to switch off
For too many workers, the intrusive ping of an after-hours email or a supervisor's call about an upcoming shift has become a frequent interruption to valuable personal time.
Huge support for Labour’s New Deal workers’ rights plans
A poll commissioned by the TUC shows huge backing across the political spectrum for improving protections at work and for the fundamental policies that underpin Labour’s New Deal for working people.
Government's move to reintroduce tribunal fee threatens workers' rights
Government plans to reintroduce fees for taking tribunal cases will price workers out of accessing justice.
Scrap the Illegal Migration Bill
The government is introducing legislation that would amount to an asylum ban and send more people into the hands of the most exploitative employers.
Unions can ensure new guidance on data supports workers and employers
Here's what unions wanted to see in the new guidance on data protection and employment practices.
The government is failing to tackle Britain’s insecure work and enforcement crisis
For workers hoping for a step-change in the enforcement of workers’ rights, the government’s announcement that there will be a further delay to planned reforms is a kick in the teeth.
Victory for union campaigning as agency workers get stronger rights
Today sees the abolition of the notorious legal loophole that allowed employers to avoid paying agency workers the going rate for the job.
10 takeaways from the Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2019/2020
If the government is serious about tackling labour market exploitation it needs to heed the advice of a new report by the Director of Labour Market Enforcement
Shared Parental Leave isn't working - new parents need stronger rights
After four years of dire uptake, the Shared Parental Leave Scheme needs a total overhaul - and stronger paternity rights are well overdue
A ban on zero-hours contracts - a victory for Irish unions
Irish unions have won a significant victory for the lowest paid, and most insecure, workers.
Empty promises aren't enough – we need a Brexit deal that protects jobs and has binding guarantees on employment rights
Warm words about improving rights post-Brexit won't cut it – to guarantee their rights working people need substantial changes to Mrs May's entire deal
Theresa May promised to defeat modern slavery – so why is she letting employers off the hook?
If the government is serious about tackling modern slavery, it must close the loophole that allows businesses to ignore the risk within supply chains
Austerity won’t be over until...Theresa May tackles the wage growth crisis
If the government really wants to stand up for working people, next week's Budget must address the longest squeeze on real wages in two centuries
Which of the government's Taylor Review proposals will benefit insecure workers?
It’s disappointing that the government’s response to the Taylor Report, published today, watered down what were already weak proposals on enforcing employment rights. But there are still some proposals that could help workers stand up to exploitative companies.
3 employment rights that aren’t working for young mums and dads. And 2 rights that they should have.
Why existing rights aren't delivering for young parents
Labour enforcement agencies – six potential developments
The Immigration Act 2016 brought about significant changes to the remit and powers of the Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority.
Employment Tribunal Fees found to be unlawful
Following UNISON’s legal challenge, the Supreme Court has, today, ruled that employment tribunal fees are unlawful because they price workers out of accessing justice and discriminate against women.
Our enforcement system isn’t working. What’s the Taylor Review going to do about it?
The Taylor Review includes a section on “fairer enforcement”, which concludes with the statement:
Supreme Court battle leads to survivors’ pension equality for same-sex couples
Congratulations to John Walker! For eleven years, he has been fighting his employer and the government, so that his husband can receive his pension when he dies. He had to fight because, until today, the law permitted same sex couples to be discriminated against.
The perfect gift for Fathers’ Day? Proper paid paternity leave
Forget socks, slippers or the latest gadget. This Sunday, the government should give fathers the perfect Fathers’ Day gift and help them spend time more with their families – by making sure all fathers can access well-paid paternity leave.
We need family work rights that working families can actually use
Today is the International Day for Families, so it’s timely to think about the types of support that working families need to spend more time together.
