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 makes it easier for you to get help if your workplace rights aren't being respected.

What the Fair Work Agency does:

  • upholds compliance with key workplace rights including the national minimum wage
  • works closely with Acas to provide better support and guidance to workers about their rights
  • investigates employers who break the law
  • issues penalties to employers who don't comply

What this means for you

The Fair Work 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

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.

Where these changes apply

The Fair Work Agency’s remit combines the functions of the previous state enforcement bodies, covering:

  • the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wages across the whole of the United Kingdom
  • the gangmaster’s licensing scheme across the whole of the United Kingdom
  • serious labour exploitation and modern slavery related offences 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 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

More information

For more information see Fair Work Agency factsheetopens assets.publishing.service.gov.uk in a new tab.

For new and updated FWA content please visit the FWA organisation pageopens www.gov.uk in a new tab.

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