The Fair Work Agency went live on 7th April 2026.

What is it?

It incorporates & replaces the following bodies:

  • The Employment Agencies Standards (EAS)
  • The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA)
  • The Office of the Director of Labour Market Enforcement (DLME)

What will it do?

Its ultimate aim is to protect workers and ensure that employers (including temp recruitment businesses) comply with the law. This includes:

  • Enforcing the National Minimum Wage (NMW)
  • Regulating and investigating complaints about employment agencies and employment businesses
  • Acting as First Responder in cases of modern slavery and human trafficking
  • Penalising employers who fail to pay Employment Tribunal awards or Acas settlements
  • Licensing recruitment businesses that supply temps to the agriculture and food sectors (also known as a Gangmaster’s Licence)

What do you need to do?

  • Audit your temp supply chain to ensure the NMW is being received by workers.
  • Update your Key Information Documents (KIDs) to refer to the Fair Work Agency.
  • Apply to them for any license you might need to supply temps to the agriculture and food sectors instead of the GLAA.
  • Make sure you’re conversant with the Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 & keep an eye out for any forthcoming changes.

If you have any questions about what you need to do, please don’t hesitate to contact me on lucy.tarrant@cognitivelaw.co.uk or call 0333 400 4499.

Lucy Tarrant

employment law fair work agency recruiters recruitment law