Insights

On 18 December 2025, Labour's Employment Rights Bill became law. The Employment Rights Act 2025 marks the most significant change in employment rights in a generation, promising sweeping reforms to strengthen workers' protections across the UK.

2026 is set to bring significant changes to employment law in England and Wales, creating new challenges and opportunities for employers.

The EAT confirms that, where an employer becomes insolvent, a basic award for unfair dismissal can only be recovered from the Secretary of State if an Employment Tribunal has first determined the claim and made the award.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) found that a COT3's "full and final settlement" clause settled "any and all claims", included a related appeal, even though the appeal was not explicitly referenced.

New legislation brings limited but important changes to paternity leave where a child's mother or adopter dies, with further reforms expected through secondary legislation.

The Court of Appeal has confirmed that section 111 Equality Act 2010 does not impose liability where a third party’s actions were no more than the context for discriminatory treatment.