Getting Support: Fair Work Agency

The Fair Work Agency (FWA) was launched on 7 April 2026 to make it easier for you to get help if your workplace rights aren't being respected.

The FWA has powers to investigate breaches, issues civil penalties and takes action against labour exploitation.  The FWA works closely with Acas to provide better support and guidance to workers about their rights.

A statutory advisory board with business, trade union and independent representation guides the FWA.

What’s already happened 

What the Fair Work Agency currently does:

• upholds compliance with key workplace rights including the national minimum wage
• regulates employment agencies and businesses
• administers the gangmaster licencing scheme for labour suppliers to the agriculture and food sectors
• works closely with Acas to help employers meet their legal responsibilities.

What’s happening next

• Over time, the FWA will take on enforcement of additional rights such as statutory holiday pay and statutory sick pay.
• Enforcement of statutory holiday pay will start in 2027. Timing is subject to the public consultation, but holiday pay enforcement will not start before April 2027.
• Until the FWA starts enforcing holiday pay and statutory sick pay, you should contact Acas if you have a concern relating to these rights.

What this means for you as a worker

The agency has real powers to investigate and take action.

Trade unions have representation on the Fair Work Agency Advisory Board, ensuring workers' voices are heard in how the agency operates.

What you can do now as a worker

You don't need to do anything – the FWA is now up and running. If you want to contact the FWA, you can use the following email address for general enquiries contact@fairworkagency.gov.uk.

Where the Fair Work Agency’s functions apply

The FWA’s functions apply differently across the United Kingdom:

• the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wages apply across the whole of the United Kingdom
• the gangmaster’s licensing scheme covers the whole of the United Kingdom
• serious labour exploitation and modern slavery related offences apply in England and Wales only. Modern Slavery offences are devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Fair Work Agency works closely with the police, local authorities and other relevant enforcement bodies to tackle serious labour exploitation in Scotland and Northern Ireland
• the regulation of employment agencies and employment businesses applies in England, Wales and Scotland. In line with the existing devolution settlement, regulation of employment agencies and employment businesses in Northern Ireland continues to be carried out by the Employment Agency Inspectorate (EAI) within the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy
• enforcement of agricultural wages in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland remains the responsibility of devolved governments.