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. 

With major reforms to dismissal rights on the horizon, independent schools have only a limited window to review staffing models and implement any planned contractual changes before flexibility is significantly reduced.

The Employment Rights Bill has experienced further delays in its parliamentary progression, with the House of Lords again supporting amendments that would directly affect healthcare employers and the wider health and social care workforce.

Peers again backed substantial changes to the Bill in a series of decisive votes, setting up another return to the Commons and raising questions over the timetable for Royal Assent and beyond.

The Government has reversed its manifesto pledge to introduce day one unfair dismissal protections in a bid to keep the Employment Rights Bill on track.