Key takeaways
- Employment Rights Act 2025: The Employment Rights Act 2025 timeline for employers: what is already in force, what starts in January, March and April 2027.
- Fire and rehire rules delayed to March 2027: Fire and rehire protections now start in March 2027, not January.
- New trade union access rights from October 2026: Since 30 October 2026 unions can ask to access workplaces with 21 or more workers.
- National Living Wage April 2027: The National Living Wage rises 3.9% to £13.21 an hour from 1 April 2027, with £11.27 for 18 to 20s and £8.31 for under-18s and apprentices.
- Salary sacrifice pension cap from 2029: From 6 April 2029 only £2,000 a year of pension salary sacrifice is free of National Insurance.
This section tracks changes that affect employers: the Employment Rights Act 2025 timetable, minimum wage rates, pension and salary sacrifice changes and new workplace rights. Each post gives the dates and the action to take.
Guides in this section
| Guide | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Employment Rights Act 2025: what changes for employers and when | The Employment Rights Act 2025 timeline for employers: what is already in force, what starts in January, March and April 2027. |
| Fire and rehire rules delayed to March 2027: what to do now | Fire and rehire protections now start in March 2027, not January. Which contract changes are restricted. |
| New trade union access rights from October 2026 | Since 30 October 2026 unions can ask to access workplaces with 21 or more workers. 15 working day reply deadline, CAC process. |
| National Living Wage April 2027: £13.21 and the new rates | The National Living Wage rises 3.9% to £13.21 an hour from 1 April 2027, with £11.27 for 18 to 20s and £8.31 for under-18s and apprentices. |
| Salary sacrifice pension cap from 2029: what employers must do | From 6 April 2029 only £2,000 a year of pension salary sacrifice is free of National Insurance. How the cap works, what it costs employers and what to do first. |
| Auto-enrolment at 12%? What the pensions review could mean | A 12% auto-enrolment minimum is being debated, but nothing is decided. Today’s 8% rules, the Pensions Commission timetable and what 12% could cost employers. |
| Unfair dismissal after six months: the January 2027 change | From 1 January 2027 employees can claim unfair dismissal after six months’ service, not two years, and the compensation cap goes. Dates. |