Fair Work Agency Publishes First Delivery Plan; Enforcement Powers Expand
The Fair Work Agency, launched in April 2026 as the UK's unified employment rights enforcer, has released its first delivery plan outlining priorities for 2026–27, signalling expanded workplace inspections and new digital compliance tools for employers.
New Enforcement Body Outlines Expansion Plans
The Fair Work Agency's first delivery plan outlines priorities, actions and measures for 2026 to 2027, explaining how the agency will support workers and employers, tackle labour exploitation and prepare for the transfer of National Minimum Wage enforcement. The plan outlines how the agency will develop digital tools to make complying with employment rights easier.
On April 7, 2026, the Fair Work Agency (FWA) was established as a new single enforcement body for employment rights in the UK, operating under the framework set out in Part 5 of the Employment Rights Act 2025. The budget for enforcement has already been increased by over 25% to £60.1 million, signalling a serious commitment to resourcing this new body.
The agency currently has powers over minimum wage compliance, holiday pay, agency worker standards, gangmaster licensing, and modern slavery enforcement. NMW officers will join the FWA in April 2027. Holiday pay enforcement is expected to begin in 2027.
What This Means for Foreign Workers and Employers
If you employ migrant workers or operate as an employer in the UK, the Fair Work Agency's expanded remit means stricter scrutiny of labour practices. The FWA has broad supervisory and investigatory powers, including the ability to proactively initiate investigations into suspected breaches of relevant labour market legislation. For foreign workers, this strengthened enforcement protects you from wage theft and exploitation. The shift from complaint-driven to proactive enforcement makes compliance non-negotiable for all employers, regardless of sector or size.
Sources
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