UK's Fair Work Agency Sets Out Its First-Year Enforcement Plan
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The News
The Fair Work Agency has published its 2026/27 delivery plan, describing the year as 'foundational' and organised around three priorities — 'deliver, build and innovate' — as it consolidates enforcement previously split across HMRC, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate. The agency pledges 'tough action against rogue employers who exploit workers and/or undercut legitimate business' and will later absorb regulation of umbrella companies. Qdos CEO Seb Maley called the plan 'an important milestone' but cautioned 'the devil will be in the detail', with the Make Work Pay consultation findings still outstanding.Why It Matters
The FWA is the largest reorganisation of UK labour-market enforcement in a generation. For TA leaders who use agencies, umbrellas or gig-style engagement, the shift from 'fragmented enforcement to joined-up impact' means compliance failures that used to be spread across three bodies now land with one agency that is explicitly signalling a tougher posture — and one that will soon police the umbrella market your contingent workers may route through.Taking Action
All action is situated in your corporate context. These are starting points, not prescriptions — choose what fits.
Connect
Who to talk with in your enterprise
Your HR compliance or employee-relations lead: map which of your engagement models — agency, umbrella, PAYE-flex — fall inside the FWA's emerging remit. Your procurement and legal teams: begin diligence on your agency and umbrella suppliers' compliance records before umbrella regulation lands, because the FWA's data-sharing will make their record your record.Inspect
What to take a closer look at
Audit your contingent workforce: what share is engaged via umbrella companies, and do you actually have sight of their compliance status? Verify your agencies' enforcement history — the FWA's stated intent to 'harness data and intelligence more effectively' means a supplier's past breaches will surface in enforcement sweeps that touch you.Reflect
What to think about more deeply
You've spent years telling candidates your contingent model is compliant — what happens when a single enforcement body can finally check that claim in one place?