News

The Employment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No.2 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) Regulation 2026, confirm a number of key commencement dates for the key employment law reform taking effect in April 2026. These changes form part of the Government’s broader agenda to strengthen worker protections and enhance enforcement mechanisms. From 6 April 2026 The maximum protective award for failure to comply with collective redundancy consultation requirement will increase to 180 days’ gross pay per affected employee (up from 90 days) Sexual harassment will now explicitly fall within the scope of ‘protected disclosure’ under whistle blowing New provision aimed at …

The Competition and Markets Authority (“the CMA”), the UK’s competition law watchdog continues to take a strong interest in the construction industry. The sector has been under scrutiny for decades and this has resulted in numerous companies being investigated and fined for participating in a variety of anti- competitive practices. Examples have included colluding to fix future prices, exchanging commercially sensitive information, carving up geographic markets, allocating customers and rigging bids for contracts. A broad range of players in the construction sector have been impacted including ready mixed concrete; aggregate; flat roofing; roofing materials, groundworks products, demolition and asbestos removal …

Businesses across Scotland are being encouraged to strengthen their cyber resilience at a forthcoming joint event hosted by BTO Solicitors LLP and Net-Defence. Taking place on Thursday 2 April 2026 at the AC Marriott Glasgow, the event, “Strengthening Cyber Resilience”, will bring together legal and technical experts to help organisations manage the growing threat of cyber incidents. The session is designed to offer practical guidance on how organisations can reduce risk, respond effectively and recover quickly when incidents occur. The programme will cover key issues including the nature of modern cyber attacks, why threats are escalating, and the critical steps organisations should …

On 6 March 2026, the Home Office released major updates to the sponsor guidance, introducing reforms that will significantly reshape compliance expectations for STEM employers, research institutions, and technology-driven organisations. These updates embed data‑centric oversight, strengthen digital reporting requirements, and align the sponsorship framework more closely with evidence‑based workforce governance. For STEM sponsors, the changes demand immediate review of internal systems, particularly where HR, payroll, and technical governance intersect. Shift toward data‑driven, systems-based compliance The UK sponsorship system continues to operate under a shared-responsibility model, but the Home Office is increasingly leveraging automated data matching, real‑time digital audits, and cross‑system …

The Employment Rights Act 2025 seeks to restrict dismissal and re-engagement, commonly known as ‘Fire and Rehire’. The recent launch of a new government consultation now offers insight into how these changes may operate in practice. Is this the end of fire and rehire? What is Fire and Rehire? ‘Fire and Rehire’ is shorthand for practice of dismissing an employee and then re‑employing them under a new contract, typically on less favourable terms. Employers may use this approach to introduce significant changes to contractual conditions for example, alterations to pay, working hours, or benefits. If an employee refuses to agree …

Family lawyers in England are being encouraged to send a letter from Dame Rachel de Souza (Children’s Commissioner for England) to all clients with children. It is not yet clear if a similar letter will follow for family lawyers in Scotland. The letter advocates a child-focused approach by parents following their separation. It has been included in recommendations by the Family Solutions Group, and copies are provided in their report “Putting Children First”. In the letter, Dame Rachel de Souza encourages parents to work to maintain a co-parenting relationship, and to ensure that children do not become embroiled in parental …

Significant reforms to statutory sick pay (SSP) will take effect on 6 April 2026. What do employers need to know? Removal of Three-Day Waiting Period One of the most notable updates is the removal of the three-day waiting period. From April 2026, employees will be eligible for SSP from the first day they are too unwell to work. The aim is to better support phased returns to work. For example, if an employee returns on reduced hours—working three days instead of their usual five while recovering—they may receive SSP for the remaining days they are unable to work. This is …

April marks Stress Awareness Month, an annual initiative running since 1992 that aims to increase public understanding of both the causes and solutions to stress, including stress in the workplace. As we look ahead to April, it provides a timely opportunity to reflect on how stress affects individuals, teams and organisations and to consider the steps we can take to create healthier, more supportive environments. This year’s theme, #BE THE CHANGE serves as a powerful call to action, encouraging individuals to recognise their own ability to influence their wellbeing, their relationships, and their wider communities. The Growing Concern of Work-Related …