Stronger protections for pregnant women and new parents against unfair dismissal

Tribunals to use a new, stricter, approach for dismissal cases involving pregnant women and new parents from 2027 Pregnant women and new parents will now have stronger safeguards to protect them from unfair dismissal, requiring employers to go further than ever before. • New protections will also extend to employees on adoption, shared parental, neonatal … Continue reading Stronger protections for pregnant women and new parents against unfair dismissal →

Employer Bulletin: April 2026

HMRC publishes the Employer Bulletin 6 times a year, giving employers and agents the latest information on topics and issues that may affect them. Some of these topics have already been covered by PAYadvice.UK in articles and blogs and further articles and blogs may now additionally be published. The April 2026 edition of Employer Bulletin … Continue reading Employer Bulletin: April 2026 →

Stronger working rights to give millions of families the “security they deserve”

New day one rights to parental leave set to enter force from April 2026. Over 18 million workers across the UK are expected to benefit from stronger protections at work, with most insecure workers set to gain the most. New day one rights from April 2026 confirmed for parental leave, whilst bereaved partners set to gain further rights to paternity leave. Changes are claimed … Continue reading Stronger working rights to give millions of families the “security they deserve” →

Employment Rights Act receives Royal Assent

Over 15 million people across the UK are expected to benefit as New laws bring the world of work into the 21st century Over  15 million people across the UK are to benefit from new worker protections, including those on the lowest pay and in the most insecure jobs.  New rights confirmed including day one paternity leave and parental leave, statutory sick pay, protections for pregnant workers, increased protection from unfair … Continue reading Employment Rights Act receives Royal Assent →

Young people to benefit from expanded support, new training, and work experience opportunities

Almost one million young people will benefit from learning or employment opportunities as a result of a major £820 million funding package. The funding will create 350,000 new workplace opportunities designed to support young people into employment. Hundreds of thousands more young people on Universal Credit to benefit from dedicated support. Guaranteed jobs scheme to … Continue reading Young people to benefit from expanded support, new training, and work experience opportunities →

Tackling ill-health and keep Britain working

60 major and many small employers are joining forces with government to tackle the rising tide of ill-health that is pushing people out of work Employers join forces with government to tackle ill-health and keep Britain working Employers and mayoral authorities back plans to support employees to keep people healthy and in work. A three-year partnership, led … Continue reading Tackling ill-health and keep Britain working →

Bereavement and pregnancy protections to be shaped by businesses and workers

Consultations launched on key Make Work Pay measures including protections for pregnant women and new mothers at work, bereavement leave and trade union reforms The public are invited to share views on reforms including dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers at work, and bereavement leave. Business and workers are to shape trade union … Continue reading Bereavement and pregnancy protections to be shaped by businesses and workers →

Another 103 employers caught not paying for time worked!

Although employers may have set payment rates at or above the National Minimum Wage for their workers and employees, some even using the higher Living Wage (the voluntary living wage foundation rate), many appear to also get their workers to do extra time for free or count certain work activity as unpaid. All work time … Continue reading Another 103 employers caught not paying for time worked! →

In-work poverty causing misery as over half of low-paid parents forced to turn to food banks

In-work poverty causing misery as over half of low-paid parents forced to turn to food banks UK workers paid below the real Living Wage face severe hardship as prices rise. Many have no financial buffer to absorb higher costs or deal with emergencies. Housing costs in particular are putting pressure on household budgets. The financial … Continue reading In-work poverty causing misery as over half of low-paid parents forced to turn to food banks →

Apprentices – not a reason to underpay!

Of the 491 recently shamed employers for breaching National Minimum Wage (NMW) by the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) audit teams, the largest failures related to apprentices. Of those caught, 190 were for breaches of NMW related to apprentices. There are some important considerations for those who claim to or do employ apprentices: That there … Continue reading Apprentices – not a reason to underpay! →

Where are October 2025 shamed employer minimum pay breaches happening?

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) audit teams from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have caught and fined another 491 employers across the United Kingdom for underpaying their workers for a variety of reasons. Some are well known household brands. Large numbers of employers are struggling to understand their obligations to their workforces to pay them … Continue reading Where are October 2025 shamed employer minimum pay breaches happening? →

Another 491 employers fined £10million+ for National Minimum Wage breach

£6 million repaid to workers as Government cracks down on employers underpaying their staff Nearly 500 employers fined over £10 million for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage. £6 million put back into the pockets of working people as Government delivers the biggest overhaul of workers’ rights in a generation, as part of its … Continue reading Another 491 employers fined £10million+ for National Minimum Wage breach →

Bridget Phillipson speech to TUC conference, 2025

Speech delivered by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson at the Trades Union Congress annual conference in Brighton, 2025 Thank you, Congress, for that warm welcome. What a joy it is to be back here in Brighton. And back here with the TUC. Thank you to Mark, and to Paul, and to the whole team, and thank … Continue reading Bridget Phillipson speech to TUC conference, 2025 →

SSP changes confirmed for 6th April 2026

The Plan to Make Work Pay is intended to tackle poor pay, poor working conditions and poor job security so that people across the country feel the benefits. Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay is a key component of this reform, ensuring that the safety net of sick pay is available to those who need it the … Continue reading SSP changes confirmed for 6th April 2026 →

Thompsons Lecture: Employment law and the fundamental right to security

The RT Hon Lord Hermer KVC On Thursday 8th May 2025, the Attorney General Lord Hermer KC delivered the Thompson Foundation Lecture on “Employment law and the fundamental right to security” Introduction Thank you very much for this opportunity to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Thompsons Solicitors, a firm that has been a beacon of … Continue reading Thompsons Lecture: Employment law and the fundamental right to security →

Has Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) changed?

A number of articles published via a news agencies and news outlets have implied that there were significant changes to the UK statutory sickness scheme from April 2025. However, this is not the case. Period of Incapacity to Work (PIW) Under current rules which continue, only periods of sickness lasting 4 or more calendar days … Continue reading Has Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) changed? →

Almost two million people on Universal Credit not supported to look for work

Number of people on the highest rate of Universal Credit with no support to look for work has almost quadrupled since the pandemic Figures show 1.8 million people now in Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) category as broken Work Capability Assessment continues to push people out of work New figures emerge ahead of … Continue reading Almost two million people on Universal Credit not supported to look for work →

Employment Rights Bill latest

The Government… table amendments to the Employment Rights Bill. The Government have laid amendments to the Employment Rights Bill following weeks of consultation with business groups and unions. The Bill claims to support the Government’s mission to increase productivity and create the right conditions for long-term sustainable, inclusive, and secure economic growth, delivering on the … Continue reading Employment Rights Bill latest →

Up to £600 cash boost for Britain’s lowest paid to help kickstart the economy

Ten million working people across the country to benefit from an overhaul of workers’ rights as the Government’s landmark Employment Rights Bill returns to Parliament. Government issued Impact assessment shows the Employment Rights Bill will have a positive direct impact on economic growth Reforms means extra 30,000 new dads qualify for paternity leave Positive impacts … Continue reading Up to £600 cash boost for Britain’s lowest paid to help kickstart the economy →

Employment rights reforms revealed

The Labour government has unveiled the Employment Rights Bill in their effort to help deliver economic security and growth to businesses, workers and communities across the UK. Legislation introduced in Parliament to upgrade workers’ rights across the UK, tackle poor working conditions and benefit businesses and workers alike Ahead of International Investment Summit, the government … Continue reading Employment rights reforms revealed →

Business leaders will be involved in “every step of the way” in Make Work Pay plans

The Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary have met with business leaders to discuss the upcoming Employment Bill. In the latest series of meetings on the Make Work Pay plan, the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hosted a Business Breakfast on Tuesday 3rd September 2024 to discuss the upcoming legislation. … Continue reading Business leaders will be involved in “every step of the way” in Make Work Pay plans →

Make Work Pay first steps

British workers are set for better working conditions as the Government takes its first steps towards its Plan to Make Work Pay. Businesses and workers are to get a bigger voice at the table as Government takes the next steps in its mission to Make Work Pay Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary host senior … Continue reading Make Work Pay first steps →