Updates

Mandatory MFA for all SMS users: what sponsors need to know now

The Home Office is introducing mandatory Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all Sponsorship Management System (SMS) users. MFA adds a one-time passcode (OTP) step to the existing username and password login. A phased rollout starts on 03 September 2026 and is expected to cover all work route sponsors by November 2026. The Home Office has said …
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Subscription regime set for January 2027

On 09 August, the Prime Minister announced a series of ‘everyday fixes’ to alleviate household costs in the UK. One of these was a commitment to end subscription traps as soon as possible. Last year, we ran several webinars on a new subscription regime introduced by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act 2024 (‘DMCC’) …
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Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 25 August

Our weekly round-up of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Charity Commission Risk Assessment The Charity Commission has published its Charity Sector Risk Assessment for 2026 which provides an overview of potential risks facing the sector …
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Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 18 August

Our weekly roundup of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Investigations and complaints The Fundraising Regulator has published the results of its investigation into two community interest companies, Atoma Union CIC and Youth Works Union CIC.  …
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Competition law for awarding organisations: practical risk management for confident collaboration

Awarding organisations (AOs) operate in competitive markets. As well as considering their own conduct with other AOs, they can also bring competitors together for legitimate purposes, for example, sharing best practice, promoting assessment consistency, consulting on regulatory changes, or discussing operational challenges. Whenever competitors meet, competition law is engaged. The risk isn’t theoretical. The Competition …
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Webinar | Practical implications of the new EHRC Services Code for awarding organisations | 23 September 2026

The updated Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations came into force on 5 August 2026. It provides guidance on the application of the Equality Act 2010 in light of the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment last year in For Women Scotland. Since the Supreme Court’s judgment, the Employment Tribunal has already heard multiple …
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Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 11 August

Our weekly round up of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Charity Commission Beacon cyber security incident A cybersecurity incident has affected Beacon CRM, a widely used customer relationship management platform in the charity sector. The …
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Faith-based charities and regulatory engagement: prevention and response

The regulatory landscape Regulatory action by the Charity Commission is increasing. There were 18% more regulatory concern cases, 25% more statutory inquiries and just under 60% more inquiry powers used in the Commission’s most recent financial period than its previous one. Common themes for the Commission opening investigations are governance failures, safeguarding issues, conflicts of …
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Hiding in plain sight – paying the price of forever chemicals in fashion

“Nearly every American now has PFAS in their blood.” That stark finding, highlighted by journalist Alden Wicker, captures the scale of a problem that has quietly woven itself into the UK’s modern life – and into the clothes we wear every day. What are PFAS? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often dubbed “forever chemicals”, are …
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Sponsor compliance: hot topics and trends from the first half of 2026

Employer and sponsor immigration compliance is becoming more interventionist. The Home Office has strengthened sponsor guidance, lowered the practical threshold for action and is using more data matching, remote checks and targeted information requests. For sponsors, compliance should be treated as an ongoing governance risk, not revisited haphazardly. The key trend is a move from …
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OfS revises freedom of speech guidance following Sussex v OfS

On 5 August 2026, the Office for Students (OfS) has published revised regulatory guidance on freedom of speech and the incoming complaints scheme for higher education providers (HEPs). Influenced by de facto legislative changes since the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 was enacted, and the judgment in Sussex v OfS, the guidance now …
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UK right to work regime expands on 1 October 2026: what businesses should do now

From 1 October 2026, the Right to Work (RtW) regime expands beyond traditional employment to include worker contracts, individual sub‑contractors, and online matching services. This critical shift means civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker may extend beyond the direct employer and, in some circumstances, up the supply chain. To reduce this risk, …
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