Fair Work Agency

The Fair Work Agency (FWA) was launched on 7 April 2026 to bring together enforcement of key employment rights into one place.

For most employers who already comply with the law, this means better access to guidance and support.

The FWA has powers to investigate breaches, issues civil penalties and take action against labour exploitation. 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.

Actions to take as an employer

Employers who already follow good practice should not be affected. There are some actions you can take as an employer to help ensure you are meeting your obligations and responsibilities.

• Familiarise yourself with the FWA’s enforcement policy statementopens www.gov.uk in a new tab.
• Review your compliance with existing employment rights (for example, National Minimum Wageopens www.gov.uk in a new tab, holiday payopens www.gov.uk in a new tab, agency worker regulationsopens www.gov.uk in a new tab).
• Review your record keeping policies and make sure you are keeping appropriate records to show that you are meeting your legal obligations as an employer.
• If you need guidance, you can contact the FWA at 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 Wage 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.