An introduction to the Fair Work Agency

The Employment Rights Act 2025 is a key pillar of the government’s Plan to Make Work Pay, which is aimed at growing the economy, boosting wages, and reducing insecure work. The Act was developed in close collaboration with business and trade unions and extends modern protections to millions more workers.

The Act will improve enforcement of employment rights by establishing the Fair Work Agency.

The UK’s labour market enforcement system is fragmented and ineffective. This is bad for workers and bad for those businesses being undercut by the minority who can freely break the rules. 

The Fair Work Agency will bring together existing enforcement functions namely the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EASI), the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), National Minimum Wage and the Office for the Director of Labour Market Enforcement (ODLME) to create a strong, recognisable single brand so individuals know where to go for help. It will also lead to a more effective use of resources.

The Fair Work Agency will take a balanced approach to upholding workers’ rights. It will provide better support for most employers who want to comply with the law. It will also have powers to take tough action against the minority who deliberately flout it.

What is the Fair Work Agency?

The Fair Work Agency will be the new single place where workers can go to blow the whistle on bad behaviour by their employer. It will bring together existing state enforcement functions and incorporate a wider range of employment rights. Fair Work Agency officers will support businesses to follow the law. They will also have strong powers to inspect workplaces and take action against employers who are deliberately breaking the law.

Benefits of the Fair Work Agency 

Bringing together the government bodies responsible for protecting employment rights will create a more effective organisation and a single point of contact for advice and help.

The Fair Work Agency will ensure that both workers and businesses will have a better understanding of employment rights and the opportunity to report issues or request guidance. It will also have greater enforcement powers, preventing those who operate outside of the law undercutting and profiting from legitimate businesses.

Powers of the Fair Work Agency

All the GLAA’s current functions will move to the Fair Work Agency. Some GLAA officers known as Labour Abuse Prevention Officers (LAPOs) deal with modern slavery and exploitation. The more extensive police-style powers they have will also move with them, to ensure they have what they need to do their job. 

Business as usual

Whilst there will be some changes in April, the work the GLAA has always done will continue. Anyone operating as a gangmaster in the regulated sectors will still need a licence, it will just be issued by the Fair Work Agency.

You will see a new name and a new look to our communications and website, but your licence and the licensing standards will remain the same.

Read the Fair Work Agency factsheet on GOV.UK