The Employment Rights Act 2025 became law in December and will introduce additions and amendments to existing legislation.  The employment law changes included in the Act will happen in 2026 and 2027 and Acas have a helpful timeline on their website. 

In February, an Acas survey reported that sick pay changes are likely to have the most impact, both for employers and employees, followed by unfair dismissal protections and paternity leave rights. 

For anyone looking to employ new staff, changes to reduce the unfair dismissal qualifying period from two years to six months may be something to consider. Whilst the six month period is a variance from the original ‘day one’ intentions, it still means less time to assess performance, address concerns and make decisions before any unfair dismissal protection applies. After six months, the legal and financial risk increases significantly. 

This may be something to think about particularly where volunteers act as Line Managers and conflicting time pressures lead to formal conversations and reviews being delayed. Employees joining an organisation from July this year will reach six months service under the new rules when they become effective from 1 January 2027, so when recruiting, it may be sensible to ensure adequate procedures are in place to handle probation periods properly.

See more here and here.

We hear lots about the ‘cost of living’ crisis, which has become the norm for so many. 

Figures produced by Government in March show that almost 1 in 3 children (32%) across the North West are living in poverty, after the cost of housing. Across the UK this figure stands at 27%. 

Christians Against Poverty recent research highlighted that around 14.2 million adults reported having debt (excluding student loans or mortgage) that they are struggling to repay, even before looming increases in energy prices. CAP's Spring Statement notes around nine million UK adults have been unsuccessful in ten or more job applications in the past year. 

With unemployment figures set to rise further, this has a knock on effect on mental health.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that latest figures produced by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) shows that the total amount donated by the British public has fallen for the first time in five years. 

CAF's UK Giving Report found that whilst an estimated £14bn was donated to charities in 2025, this was almost 10% less than in 2024.

One in five people (22%) don’t donate because they can’t afford it, yet the demand for help and services has never been higher. 

See more here.

Last month (March), the Law Commission published the final report of its review of burial and cremation law.

The Report makes recommendations for simplifying and modernising laws, parts of which have remained largely unchanged for over 170 years.

Proposals would mean graves that are over a century old could be reused in more burial grounds across England and Wales, addressing a growing shortage of burial space whilst ensuring robust safeguards for grieving families.

To give clearer rights to bereaved families and protections for relatives graves, it is recommended the Government makes wide ranging reforms to the way cemeteries and crematoria are run. 

The Government will now consider the recommendations and decide whether to change the law.  

See more here and here.