Consultation on Extending the Right to Work Scheme
The Home Office has launched a consultation on plans to extend Right to Work rules beyond traditional employment models to strengthen enforcement under the Illegal Working Penalty Regime. The government initially announced plans in March 2025 to reform how legal duties to prevent illegal working apply to non-standard work arrangements such as gig economy, zero-hours […]
Employment Case Law Update October 2025
Read on for our monthly digest for employers on upcoming employment law changes and key, recent employment tribunal cases. Unfair Dismissal Alom v Financial Conduct Authority Mr Alom, an FCA employee, was summarily dismissed for gross misconduct after the FCA concluded he sent an anonymous hostile email to a colleague and then breached […]
UKVI Alert: Phishing Attempts Targeting SMS Accounts
UKVI has warned sponsors about phishing emails that mimic official Home Office communications and the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) login page. The goal of these scams is to capture user credentials and assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) without authority. This update explains what to watch for and the practical steps to secure your account and […]
Employment Rights Bill Update October 2025
The Employment Rights Bill is in the final parliamentary exchanges between the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Agreement could be reached quickly, although further exchanges remain possible. Royal Assent follows only once both Houses settle the remaining points and commencement regulations are made. The Act will provide the framework. The operational rules […]
Graduate Route Reducing to 18 Months
The Graduate visa will be reduced to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, the grant remains three years. Reform of the Graduate Route was first announced in the May 2025 Immigration White Paper and has since been confirmed in the October […]
Student Visa to Innovator Founder Visa: In-Country Switching Introduced
Under the updated UK Immigration Rules, Student visa holders who have completed their studies can apply to switch directly into the Innovator Founder route from within the UK from 25 November 2025. The change, confirmed in the October 2025 Statement of Changes (HC 1333), closes the previous gap that forced most student-entrepreneurs to leave the […]
Immigration Statement of Changes HC 1333 October 2025
The Home Office has published Statement of Changes HC 1333, laid before Parliament on 14 October 2025. The update delivers a wide package of reforms under the government’s Plan for Change. For employers, the key measures are the higher English language requirement for key work visa routes, a shorter Graduate route and structural rule changes […]
Stage 1 Report into Temporary Shortage List Published
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published its Stage 1 report on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL). Stage 1 sets out the proposed framework for how the TSL should work and lists 82 RQF 3–5 occupations that the MAC believes are potentially crucial to the Industrial Strategy or critical infrastructure. These roles will move to […]
Home Secretary Announces Tougher ILR Requirements
The Home Secretary has confirmed that the Government intends to tighten the rules for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The key changes under consideration include tougher English language standards, a requirement for a clean criminal record and a greater emphasis on economic contribution such as proof of employment and payment of National Insurance. Ministers are […]
Employment Case Law Update September 2025
Read on for our monthly digest for employers on upcoming employment law changes and key, recent employment tribunal cases. Employment Rights Bill: September 2025 Status The Employment Rights Bill (ERB) remains on track to become the Government’s flagship reform package, but political turbulence and the rejection of House of Lords amendments mean employers […]