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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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Chetal Patel urges cultural sector to support international creatives seeking moves to UK and boost film and television sector growth

While immigration remains a hot topic in the UK, Bates Wells is calling for the creative sector to lead in championing initiatives that increase the film and TV industry’s diversity. The UK’s film and television industry brings in more than £18 billion to the UK economy and supports almost 300,000 jobs. It is a fast-growing …
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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 18 November 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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Navigating the expression of protected beliefs and social media use in the workplace: lessons from Higgs v Farmor’s School [2025] EWCA Civ 109

The question of how to navigate the expression of protected beliefs in the workplace, particularly where those beliefs may not be universally shared or agreed with by co-workers, remains a hot topic for employers; not least in the context of balancing “gender critical” beliefs and the rights of transgender individuals.  This issue has become all …
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Bates Wells advises Tearfund on innovative financing transaction

Bates Wells has advised the international charity Tearfund on a ground-breaking risk transfer transaction supporting their humanitarian relief activities in Nepal, Ethiopia, Malawi and Pakistan. The transaction involves the provision of a natural disaster risk transfer facility from Global Parametrics, part-funded by Humanity Insured. Global Parametrics is an organisation that structures parametric risk transfer solutions …
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Is your charity ready for the Online Safety Act?

The Online Safety Act (the “OSA”) imposes a range of duties on in-scope online services, aiming in particular to protect children from harmful content and to protect all users from illegal online content and activity. While the OSA received Royal Assent in 2023, the majority of its provisions will come into force in 2025 with …
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