26 April 2026
UK Government publishes strategic direction for Fair Work Agency
The UK Government has published the ‘strategic steer’ for the new Fair Work Agency. The new agency aims to ‘deliver a labour market where work pays, rights are respected and responsible businesses can thrive’. It will focus on a compliance approach that supports businesses offering fair work while taking robust action against those that don’t.
It brings together responsibilities that previously sat across multiple bodies, making it easier for employees to find help and for employers to understand what is required. It will bring a system level approach to intelligence, prevention and targeted intervention. ACAS will continue to support employees and help employers resolve conflicts.
The Fair Work Agency is taking on responsibilities in a phased approach, with responsibility from this month for agency regulations, gangmasters licensing and serious labour abuse, including modern slavery. The National Minimum Wage will transfer to the Agency in April 2027.
The Agency’s 2026-7 budget is increased from £47.4m to £60.1m to reflect its broader remit. It includes five priorities that the government have set out in the Strategic Steer:
Read the full Strategic Steer for the Fair Work Agency.
It brings together responsibilities that previously sat across multiple bodies, making it easier for employees to find help and for employers to understand what is required. It will bring a system level approach to intelligence, prevention and targeted intervention. ACAS will continue to support employees and help employers resolve conflicts.
The Fair Work Agency is taking on responsibilities in a phased approach, with responsibility from this month for agency regulations, gangmasters licensing and serious labour abuse, including modern slavery. The National Minimum Wage will transfer to the Agency in April 2027.
The Agency’s 2026-7 budget is increased from £47.4m to £60.1m to reflect its broader remit. It includes five priorities that the government have set out in the Strategic Steer:
- Reducing regulatory burdens.
- Intelligence and data.
- Public awareness and stakeholder engagement.
- Thought leadership.
- Preparing for 2027 and beyond.
Read the full Strategic Steer for the Fair Work Agency.
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