The recent announcement that the government is ditching the promise of “day-one” protection against unfair dismissal, instead imposing a six-month qualifying period, marks a major shift in the employment-law landscape. I see this not simply as a policy retreat, but as a signal to all employers: the upcoming reforms still demand attention, but expectations need recalibrating. What Changed And What Stayed the Same · The headline commitment has changed: workers will no longer have protection...

Yesterday, the Government confirmed that from April 2026 we will see another increase in the statutory wage floors: the NLW:  For over-21s will increase from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour NMW for younger workers aged 18-20 will also rise to £10.85/hr 16–17-year-olds and apprentices to £8.00/hr. As an HR consultant I’d encourage all employers, large and small, to treat this not as a trivial “tick-box compliance” but as a strategic prompt to review how your workforce planning, pay structure, and...

Employment Law Update - November 2025  Lords Ping-Pong, Digital HR1 Forms, and a Longer Early Conciliation Window It’s been a couple of lively weeks in the world of employment law. The House of Lords and House of Commons continue their legislative “ping-pong” over key employment reforms, while the Government quietly drops several significant procedural updates elsewhere. Here’s what HR teams and employers need to know. 1. Unfair Dismissal: Lords Continue to Oppose Day-One Rights The House of...