Employment law newsletter - Summer 2026 - BM Insights

Welcome to our Summer newsletter. It’s been another busy few months and the wide-ranging developments provide a helpful distraction from the hot weather, well almost.

Our webinars continue to enjoy a fantastic level of support from so many of you, a hearty thanks! A link to the most recent Webinar, Talent Management, is included below.

At long last, the Government has published its eagerly anticipated draft Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations. This is significant because the draft Code takes account of the ramifications of the high-profile Supreme Court judgment about the legal definition of “woman”.

There are significant immigration developments too. These include important updates on the Government’s Earned Settlement proposals covering issues such as extending the route to settlement, earning settlement and citizenship.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 continues its progress with the publication of the consultation paper on ending one-sided flexibility of zero hours and similar contracts. The consultation period ends on 25 August 2026. The Act also introduces important changes in October 2026 including the extension of Employment Tribunal time limits and there are concerns this will increase the current backlog and delays at Employment Tribunals.

Finally, it is important to be aware of the recent requirement to have a data protection complaints process in place and how this impacts data controllers in the context of pension schemes.

Please do take a moment to consider the articles in this Summer newsletter, where we provide an update on a range of employment, pensions and immigration developments.

Articles

EHRC draft Services Code laid before Parliament

The purpose of the lengthy draft Services Code is to provide practical guidance on how the Equality Act 2010 applies to services, public functions and associations.

Important updates on the Government’s Earned Settlement proposals

The update covers a range of issues including migration statistics, extending the route to settlement, earning settlement and citizenship.

New requirements for a data protection complaints process

Data controllers, which in the context of pension schemes, may include pension scheme trustees, administrators, the employer or third parties, must have a process for handling data protection complaints.

Increasing concern about Employment Tribunal backlog

With changes to Employment Tribunal time limits imminent and significant unfair dismissal changes in January 2027, the current backlog is likely to increase significantly.

Could paid carer’s leave be on the horizon?

Consultation commenced on whether greater support is needed to allow carers to stay in the workplace for longer.

New concierge service and visa fees’ reimbursement scheme

A new bespoke service announced for UK businesses of the future to start, scale and stay in the UK.

Consultation on reforms of zero hours and similar contracts

Consultation commenced on measures set out in the Employment Rights Act 2025 to end one-sided flexibility which will be implemented in 2027.

AI and automated decision making in recruitment

Employers are making increasing use of AI during recruitment and the ICO has produced a report about the key considerations.

Participating in the Local Government Pension Scheme

Proposed changes to the LGPS will impact on employers winning local authority work.

Team news

I am delighted to announce that there were three new appointments in our Employment, Pensions, Benefits and Immigration team, as David Max Barra and Ben Wilson were both promoted to Associate, and Tatjana Glebik was made Executive Assistant. Congratulations all of you on your promotions, they are very well-deserved.

Webinars

Thank you to those who attended Blake Morgan’s recent Employment webinar – Talent Management: The Legal and Practical Issues involved in Recruitment and Retention.

If you were unable to attend, please click on the button below to view the recording. Please feel free to share this with any of your colleagues who might find this content useful.

View recording

I hope you will find all the articles above informative and helpful, and if you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your usual Blake Morgan contact.