The Court of Appeal has confirmed that umbrella companies cannot treat separate assignments as a single continuous employment for tax purposes and that a failure to take proper advice on contractual arrangements can amount to carelessness leading to a loss of tax.

The Home Office is consulting on plans to extend right to work checks beyond traditional employment relationships, with significant implications for gig economy platforms and sub-contracting arrangements.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) recently published its annual review of inspections for the academic year 2024-2025, marking the second year of the updated inspection framework introduced in September 2023. The report provides valuable insights into inspection trends and highlights areas where schools have struggled to meet compliance standards. Notably, compliance rates have dropped from 89.5% in 2023-2024 to 84.4% this year. 

The Department for Business and Trade has released a detailed working paper exploring four potential models for reforming non-compete clauses in employment contracts. The paper invites views from employers and other stakeholders by 18 February 2026.

The Court of Appeal has confirmed that initiating legal or arbitral proceedings may amount to a whistleblowing detriment, with clear implications for how employers respond to confidential disclosures.