Legislation/Regulation

£1.5bn defence spending will create highly-skilled jobs in the UK

The UK government is to create more than 1,000 new jobs as a result of a £1.5bn defence investment.

Public sector, Engineering 2 June 2025

HMRC threatens individual with Stop Notice

In the first Stop Notices case of its kind, HMRC has threatened an individual with prosecution if they promote tax avoidance schemes.

15 May 2025

Government plans to re-wire the state with civil servant moves

Thousands of civil servants – including senior leaders – will be based in 13 towns and cities across the UK to work with frontline workers and local leaders.

Public sector, HR 15 May 2025

PM Starmer unveils White Paper to reform immigration system

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer today unveiled the government’s Immigration white paper “to reduce migration” and strengthen the UK’s borders.

Social care, Hospitality/Leisure 12 May 2025

UK-INDIA FTA: Financially beneficial for firms to second Indian workers to the UK

Following the news that the UK and India have agreed a trade deal, what will that mean for mobility of workers?

Creative/Digital/Media, IT/Telecoms 9 May 2025

APSCo briefs House of Lords on more amendments to Employment Rights Bill

Trade body APSCo has warned Peers of urgent amendments needed to the Employment Rights Bill, which must be addressed before it reaches Royal Assent.

30 April 2025

Businesses need to be patient for OPW rules to change

Small businesses will need to wait a few more years before being relinquished of their off-payroll working obligations.

14 April 2025

Californian master plan calls for new statewide collaborative to align education, training and hiring needs

In the US, the state of California is proposing to launch digital career passports for the labour market.

Public sector, Creative/Digital/Media 14 April 2025

Zero-hours contracts must be ‘transparent and consistent’ says REC’s Shoesmith

Government must ensure that “transparency and consistency” exist around zero-hours contracts that workers can request.

Public sector, Social care 1 April 2025

Industry unimpressed with government and HMRC’s answers over CEST

The controversial Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) tool was designed to give a clear determination in 80% of cases, the House of Lords Finance Bill sub-committee heard from Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs yesterday (13 December 2021).

14 December 2021

Recruiters on government’s NMW named and shamed list

Over 200 employers this week were named and shamed by government for failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage.

Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers, Apprentices/Grads/School leavers 10 December 2021

ARC asks Chancellor to reinstate VAT concession for staffing agencies

The Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC) has this week sent a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposing the reinstatement of the VAT Staff Hire Concession.

Public sector, Social care 10 December 2021

Chairman of Brewster Partners quits following media investigation

The non-executive chairman of a South Yorkshire recruitment agency has quit after a media investigation revealed it was reported to HM Revenue & Customs over allegations of furlough fraud, The Times newspaper has reported.

Creative/Digital/Media, Charity & not-for-profit 2 December 2021

Government ‘call for evidence’ on role of umbrella companies

The government has called this week for evidence on the role that umbrella companies play in the market, and how they interact with the tax and employment rights systems.

1 December 2021

RPO firm in allegations of conflict of interest with Treasury minister

A treasury minister has come under fire in connection with claims of an “untenable” potential conflict of interest involving a £15bn government contract with a talent outsourcing firm.

Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Accounting/Finance 22 November 2021

Recruitment firm Brewster Partners in breach of furlough rules allegation

A joint investigation by The Times and BBC File on 4 has uncovered evidence that alleges senior executives at recruiter Brewster Partners encouraged staff to work while furloughed.

15 November 2021

Three arrested in forced labour investigation of woman living in a cupboard

Three people have been arrested after investigators rescued a woman who claimed that she was forced to live in a cupboard by her alleged exploiters.

Hospitality/Leisure 8 November 2021

Industry’s opinions divided over Autumn Budget

The government’s so-called Recovery Budget has received divided reviews from the recruitment, business and economic communities.

28 October 2021

New inquiry launched into off-payroll rules in private sector

The House of Lords Finance Bill Sub-Committee has launched a new inquiry on the implementation of the off-payroll rules in the private sector, and how these rules are working in practice.

HR 25 October 2021

Revolution for training for work is needed, REC tells government

Government must overhaul the skills system to solve current and future labour shortage issues, says the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).

Apprentices/Grads/School leavers 19 October 2021

Relief that right-to-work checks stay digital until next year

The government has once again deferred the ending of the digital right-to-work checks.

27 September 2021

Recruitment industry criticises NI increases for social care reforms

The announcement yesterday [7 September] of National Insurance (NI) and dividend tax increases to cover NHS and social care reforms has been roundly criticised by representatives of the recruitment sector and umbrella workers.

Public sector, Social care 8 September 2021

Charity criticises Home Office to update Employer Checking Service

An employment rights charity has hit out at a Home Office online platform designed to help employers check the right-to-work of applicants.

8 September 2021

Government tribunal service gets bill for wrong IR35 assessments

The HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) is the latest government department to fall foul of HM Revenue & Customs Service’s IR35 legislation.

Legal 23 August 2021

Digital checks supported employers to hire thousands during lockdown

A Better Hiring Institute (BHI) roundtable, chaired by Keith Rosser (pictured) of REED Screening, called for the use of digital right-to-work checks to be extended.

17 August 2021
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