New proposals for ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting could reshape pay transparency: is your business ready?
In a significant move towards greater workplace equality, the UK Government has launched a public consultation on introducing mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for certain employers. If implemented, these new measures would build upon the current gender pay gap reporting framework while also introducing some distinct requirements tailored to ethnicity and disability data. […]
Legislative changes to IR35 thresholds are here. What are the implications for employers?
With upcoming legislative updates coming into effect, businesses must prepare to ensure compliance with the revised IR35 thresholds. These changes, announced earlier this year by HMRC, will impact how company size is determined for the off-payroll working rules, commonly known as IR35. Employers and engagers of off-payroll workers, often called ‘end users’, need to understand […]
University of Sussex slapped with large fine for breaches relating to free expression and academic freedom
The Office for Students (OfS) slapped University of Sussex with a £585,000 fine for breaching conditions E1 and E2 of its regulatory framework. These conditions pertain to public interest governance and management and governance, respectively. The ruling highlights significant concerns about how universities balance free speech, academic freedom, and institutional policy-making. What were the violations? […]
New UK inquiry into forced labour in supply chains: What do businesses need to know?
The UK House of Commons’ Joint Committee on Human Rights has launched a new inquiry into the nation’s framework for addressing forced labour in international supply chains. The inquiry aims to assess whether current laws effectively mitigate the risk of exposure to forced labour and whether they align with evolving international standards. The deadline for […]
As the focus on forced labour grows, is your supply chain at risk?
Forced labour remains a persistent and widespread issue, affecting businesses, individuals, and supply chains across industries. While it often occurs in the private economy, the global nature of supply chains means no sector is immune. G20 countries import over $468 billion worth of products at risk of being produced with forced labour. Forced labour generates […]
Mastercard and Visa accused of scamming UK customers via use on illegal gambling sites
An investigation has revealed that Mastercard and Visa have been failing to stop their networks being used to make transactions on illegal gambling websites that have been accused of scamming UK consumers out of thousands of pounds. Despite previous commitments to block such transactions, Mastercard was found to be available alongside cryptocurrency as a payment […]
US Treasury drops beneficial ownership reporting rules; will only apply to foreign businesses
In a major policy reversal, the US Treasury Department announced that it will no longer enforce Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements for domestic companies under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Instead, these rules will now only apply to foreign businesses operating in the US. The decision, which was first announced Sunday night in a […]
What is the OfS new Condition of Registration E6 and what do institutions need to do to comply?
The Office of Students (OfS) has published a new condition of registration for higher education providers. The new condition, ‘E6’, introduces requirements for institutions to protect students from harassment and sexual misconduct. The introduction of this new condition comes after a consultation that was launched in February 2023 on a new approach to regulation in […]
Solicitor to pay over £26,000 in fines and costs after failing to spot Friday afternoon fraud
A solicitor with decades of experience was fined by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) and ordered to pay £26,000 in fines and costs after being deceived into transferring more than £290,000 to a hacker in a targeted conveyancing cyberattack. How did the fraud occur? The solicitor was acting on behalf of a local company in […]
UK ban on AFFF fire extinguishers: what employers need to know
Fire safety continues to be a top priority in 2025, with regulations continuing to evolve. One of the major upcoming changes is the UK ban on aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) fire extinguishers. By 4 July 2025, the use of AFFF extinguishers will be completely prohibited due to environmental and health concerns. Why is AFFF […]
