Getting Support: Fair Work Agency

What's changing

A new government agency called the Fair Work Agency was launched on 7 April. The Fair Work Agency will make it easier for you to get help if your workplace rights aren't being respected.

What the Fair Work Agency will do:

• Bring together enforcement of key workplace rights in one place.
• Work closely with Acas to provide better support and guidance to workers about their rights.
• Investigate employers who break the law.
• Issue penalties to employers who don't comply.
• Enforce rights including the national minimum wage.

What this means for you

The Fair Work Agency has real powers to investigate and take action.

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

What you can do now

You don't need to do anything – the Fair Work Agency is now up and running. From now on, you can use the following email address for general enquiries contact@fairworkagency.gov.uk.

From April 2026:

• The Fair Work Agency will publish guidance on its organisation page about how you can contact them and raise concerns.
• You'll be able to make referrals if you think your rights are being breached.

For new and updated FWA content please visit the Fair Work Agency organisation pageopens www.gov.uk in a new tab and for more information please see the Fair Work Agency factsheetopens assets.publishing.service.gov.uk in a new tab

Territorial extent

The Fair Work Agency’s (FWA) remit combines the functions of the current state enforcement bodies, covering:

• The National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage across the whole of the United Kingdom.
• Serious labour exploitation and modern slavery related offences currently tackled by the Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) in England and Wales.
• The gangmasters licensing regime across the whole of the United Kingdom.
• The regulation of employment agencies and employment businesses in England, Wales and Scotland currently enforced by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS).

The Fair Work Agency’s remit does not extend to:

• Modern Slavery offences are devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The FWA will continue the GLAA’s close working with the police, local authorities and other relevant enforcement bodies in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Employment law is devolved to Northern Ireland. In line with the existing devolution settlement, regulation of employment agencies and employment businesses in Northern Ireland will continue 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 will remain the responsibility of devolved governments.