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ARTICLE · 22 APRIL 2026

What Is The Fair Work Agency, And When Does It Begin Its Enforcement Work?

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Regulations have been made under the Employment Rights Act 2025 and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to ensure labour market enforcement and licensing functions can be carried out from 7 April 2026...

United KingdomEmployment and HR
Beatrice Young
Beatrice Young

Regulations have been made under the Employment Rights Act 2025 and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to ensure labour market enforcement and licensing functions can be carried out from 7 April 2026 by the Fair Work Agency (FWA), on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. 

From 7 April 2026, the FWA will take over the functions of the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EASI), in relation to agency workers, and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), in relation to gangmaster licensing and labour exploitation. The powers currently exercisable by these bodies will be transferred to the Secretary of State.

The Fair Work Agency will take over responsibility for the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage from HMRC and, down the line, other employment rights such as holiday pay and statutory sick pay (SSP).

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