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 […]
Home Office U-Turn on Sponsor Right to Work Changes
The Home Office has reversed controversial changes to sponsor guidance that appeared to expand right to work obligations beyond sponsored workers and direct employees. The move follows concern among employers and immigration practitioners after revised guidance published earlier this year suggested sponsors would be expected to carry out right to work checks on all workers […]
Employment NDAs: New Rules Under Consultation
The UK Government has opened a 12-week consultation on the future use of non-disclosure agreements in workplace harassment and discrimination cases. The consultation closes on 8 July 2026, and forms part of the wider implementation framework for the Employment Rights Act 2025, which introduces a statutory restriction on the enforceability of confidentiality clauses in this context. […]
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 […]
Adoption Orders Are Final, Rules UK Supreme Court
In Re X and Y (Children: Adoption Order: Setting Aside) [2026] UKSC 13, the Supreme Court has confirmed that the courts have no jurisdiction to set aside a validly made adoption order other than through the statutory appeal framework. The decision provides authoritative clarification on the limits of the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction and reinforces […]
Sponsor Guidance Changes in March & April 2026
Note that the Home Office has reversed these changes, read our guide here > 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, […]
UK Smoking Laws Closer to Overhaul
The UK is moving towards one of the most significant public health reforms in decades, following the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill through Parliament. The legislation introduces a generational ban on the sale of tobacco, alongside broader regulatory powers over vaping and nicotine products. The Bill has now completed its parliamentary stages and […]
Mobile Phones to Banned in Schools in England under New Law
The government has confirmed plans to introduce a legal requirement for schools in England to restrict the use of smartphones during the school day. The measure will be brought forward as an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, as part of a broader policy focus on child wellbeing, behaviour and digital safety. It […]
Changes to Sponsor Guidance & Right to Work Checks
Updates to the Home Office’s official sponsor guidance in March and April 2026 have introduced a more expansive and interconnected approach to compliance across right to work checks, salary assessment and pay reporting. The changes form part of a broader shift in how the Home Office expects sponsors to evidence that individuals are working lawfully […]
Revised 6th Edition TA6 Form Mandatory from 30 March 2026
From 30 March 2026, the Law Society of England and Wales has introduced the TA6 Property Information Form (6th Edition) as the standard form for residential property transactions in England and Wales, with mandatory use required for Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) members on new instructions from that date. The new version follows the withdrawal of […]
TA6 Property Information Form Explained
Buying a property can be both an exciting and stressful time. As part of the conveyancing process, the Property Information Form is used to provide key information about the property to a prospective buyer at an early stage of the transaction, provided this form is completed by the seller promptly and in full. In this […]
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 […]
Government Signals Major Overhaul of UK Late Payment Laws
The UK Government has confirmed a package of proposed reforms aimed at tackling late payment across business supply chains, following its “Time to pay up” consultation. The measures are intended to address what ministers describe as a systemic issue affecting small businesses, with late payments estimated to cost the UK economy £11 billion each year […]
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 […]
CMA Orders New Vet Pricing and Consumer Protection Rules
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded its market investigation into veterinary services for household pets, confirming a package of legally binding reforms aimed at improving transparency, strengthening competition and giving pet owners greater control over costs. The changes follow concerns that consumers often struggle to access clear information about veterinary services pricing, ownership […]
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 […]
AI Copyright: Govt Rethinks Opt-Out model After Industry Backlash
The UK government is reassessing its proposed approach to copyright and artificial intelligence following sustained opposition from the creative sector, parliamentary committees and rights holders. Earlier proposals explored allowing AI developers to use copyrighted material for training unless rights holders actively opted out. That approach has not been taken forward in its original form, with […]
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 […]
New UK Dog Law: Unlimited Fines for Livestock Attacks
Dog owners in England and Wales face significantly tougher legal consequences under new legislation designed to strengthen protections for livestock, with reforms confirmed to take effect on 18 March 2026. The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 has received Royal Assent and will update the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, introducing stronger enforcement […]