Updates

Regulating for growth – a new approach to an old idea?

“We’ve got to look at regulation across the piece, and where it is needlessly holding back investment… mark my words, we will get rid of it”. This was Prime Minister Kier Starmer’s bold commitment at the International Investment Summit in October 2024. Two months later, on Christmas eve 2024, the PM wrote to 17 regulators, …
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Increases in employment related statutory pay and compensation limits from 6 April 2025

From 6 April 2025, as is the case each year, the Government will be increasing the level of employment related statutory payments, as well as the compensation limits applicable to certain Employment Tribunal awards; by 2.7% (roughly in line with the Retail Prices Index (“RPI”)). Below we set out a summary of the key increases, …
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Does a lack of insight and remorse warrant dismissal? Lessons from Hewston v OFSTED [2025] EWCA Civ 250

In the recent case of Hewston v OFSTED [2025] EWCA Civ 250, the Court of Appeal looked at the question of whether an employee’s lack of “insight” and “contrition” during a disciplinary process merited a disciplinary sanction of dismissal, and found that it did not.  The Court also found that the fact that the employee …
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The introduction of paid Statutory Neonatal Care Leave entitlement from 6 April 2025

From 6 April 2025, employees will benefit from a new statutory entitlement to paid leave, of up to 12 weeks, in circumstances where their child requires specialist neonatal care in the first 28 days following birth.  We set out a brief overview below. Statutory Neonatal Care Leave The entitlement to Neonatal Care Leave (“SNCL”) will …
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A new approach to enforcement? Ofqual consults on its Taking Regulatory Action policy

On 20 February 2025, Ofqual opened a consultation on updates to its enforcement policy, “Taking Regulatory Action”, which it proposes to rename “Supporting Compliance and Taking Regulatory Action”. The consultation will close on 15 May 2025. This refresh of Ofqual’s enforcement policy has been long awaited by awarding organisations (“AOs”). Since the existing policy was …
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How to prepare for new changes to consumer law – drip pricing

The DMCCA came into force on 1 January 2025. It has replaced the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) and amended certain parts of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (CCRs). In this series we’ll be looking at key sections of the Act …
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When the professional becomes personal: balancing expectations for the incoming workplace generation

March 2025 marks the annual “B Corp Month” campaign, which aims to celebrate the 10,000 certified “B Corporations” around the globe, that “use business as a force for good”. This year’s campaign highlights “Generation B” – a new generation of individuals within the workforce who are striving to “create a better future” and “drive positive …
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The top ten things charities get wrong in whistleblowing cases

Employees in the UK are entitled to certain legal protections in the event that they make a disclosure about wrongdoing that is in the public interest (known as “blowing the whistle”).  For employers, including charities, the best way to comply with their legal obligations to protect whistleblowers within their organisation, is to ensure that they …
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Employment Rights Bill update

On 4 March 2025, the Government published its responses to five consultations, relating to provisions contained its landmark Employment Rights Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament.  These responses addressed proposals to strengthen workers’ rights in relation to zero hours contracts, collective redundancy consultation, Statutory Sick Pay, industrial relations and Trade Unions, and …
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UK visa options as an alternative to the H-1B visa

March can be a tense time for American companies and international employees who are awaiting the outcome of the H-1B visa lottery, which runs from 7-24 March 2025.  Last year, there were 484,000 entries submitted for 85,000 available spots, and high demand is anticipated again this year. It’s likely that many candidates will be disappointed …
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The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 – ID verification

Posted on 7 March 2025 and updated on 11 April 2025 In this blog, we continue our series on the reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and update you on the new identity verification regime. What is identity verification and who needs to do it? The Act requires the following people …
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Contemplating redundancies? Top tips for employers

In the wake of a number of well-known companies and charities announcing plans to cut jobs over the past few weeks, and the Guardian newspaper reporting that UK employers are preparing for the biggest redundancy round in a decade amid declining business confidence and tax increases coming into force in April 2025, it seems that …
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