Increase in National Minimum Wage Rates from April 2025
The UK Government has announced it has accepted the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations for National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates, set to come into effect from 1 April 2025. The new rates reflect considerable increases, with the Government citing the aim of supporting low-paid workers against rising living costs and […]
New Sponsor UK System & Sponsor Guidance Updates
The latest updates to the UK’s sponsor guidance, effective from 24 October 2024, bring notable changes for sponsors in the Worker and Temporary Worker categories, particularly as the Home Office begins implementing its new ‘Sponsor UK’ IT system. This update outlines the key changes, the impact on sponsor licence holders and the steps to consider […]
Surge in Sponsor Licence Suspensions & Revocations
Sponsor licence suspensions and revocations have this year reached an unprecedented high compared to figures from previous years. According to recent Home Office data, there has been a 109% increase in suspensions and a 51% rise in revocations since 2023. Beyond sponsor-specific obligations, the Home Office is also clamping down on wider immigration and employment law […]
BRP Replacement Service Now Closed as eVisas Roll Out
The Home Office has confirmed that the BRP replacement service is now closed to new applications, and no new physical BRPs will be issued after 31 October 2024. Closure of BRP Replacement Services as eVisas Roll Out The Home Office has amended various guidance documents to reflect the withdrawal of the replacement Biometric […]
Employment Case Law Update September 2024
Read on for our monthly digest for employers on upcoming employment law changes and key, recent employment tribunal cases. Protected Beliefs & Unlawful Discrimination Thomas v Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Mr Thomas was employed as an NHS consultant via an agency from April to July 2018 when he was dismissed […]
Employment Case Law Update August 2024
Read on for our monthly digest for employers on upcoming employment law changes and key, recent employment tribunal cases. Equal Pay Thandi and Others v Next PLC A group of predominantly female store-based workers brought a claim for equal pay against their employer, Next, arguing their roles were of equal value to those of […]
Employers May Have to Offer Four-Day Week
The UK government is considering plans to allow workers to request a four-day working week. This proposal would enable employees to compress their full working hours into fewer days, while still receiving their regular pay. Four-Day Working Week Proposals Currently, UK workers have the right to request flexible working arrangements, but employers are […]
Next Loses Equal Pay Tribunal Claim
Next store workers have been successful in their equal pay claims after comparing their roles with those of warehouse workers, raising a number of potential implications for employers. Background to the Claim A group of predominantly female store-based workers at Next filed an equal pay claim, arguing that their work as retail assistants […]
Home Office Clarifies Discrepancy in Going Rate Guidance
The Home Office has addressed a discrepancy between the salary rates for certain roles listed in the “Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes” guidance and the rates in the Immigration Rules. In July 2024, the Home Office updated its guidance on salary rates for roles eligible under the Skilled Worker visa route, […]
Home Office Latest Illegal Working Clampdown
The UK government has unveiled new measures aimed at enhancing border security, focusing largely on employers hiring illegal workers and disrupting organised immigration crime. Illegal Working Under the Spotlight In a statement published on 21 August 2024, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the immediate recruitment of up to 100 specialist intelligence and investigation […]