Employment Rights Bill
On 12 March 2025, the Employment Rights Bill completed its third reading in the House of Commons. It now moves to the House of Lords for debate. If it progresses at normal speed, the Bill should receive Royal Assent before Parliament breaks for its summer recess in July. That means some parts of the Employment Rights Act 2025 could come into force as early as October 2025.
New statutory rates have been published for tribunal awards
From 6 April 2025, increased statutory rates applying to certain awards of employment tribunals and other amounts payable under employment legislation will come into force. In particular, the limit on a week’s pay used to calculate (e.g.) statutory redundancy payments is increasing to £719 and the maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal is increasing to £118,223.
Consultation Opens on Mandatory Pay Gap Reporting
In July 2024, the Government used the King’s Speech to announce its intention to require large employers (those with 250 or more employees) to report on ethnicity and disability pay gaps. It has now launched a consultation seeking views on how mandatory pay gap reporting should be implemented. Employers are invited to comment here.
Court of Appeal says school inspector who wiped rain off a pupil’s forehead was unfairly dismissed – Hewston v Ofsted
In particular, the Court of Appeal was critical of the employer’s argument that the employee’s lack of contrition made it reasonable for the employer to “bump up” the seriousness of the conduct, especially given that the employee was clear they would not repeat their actions.
Upcoming HR Cabinet
We host our HR Cabinet via Microsoft Teams at 8.30am on the last Thursday of every month. The aim of the HR Cabinet is to give you the opportunity to talk about HR matters with your peers.
If you would like to attend the HR Cabinet and haven’t signed up already, visit here to learn more.
