The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has begun a review of the right to be accompanied. This delivers on the government’s commitment to review the right made in October 2025 during the passage of what is now the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025).

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) launched a consultation on refining the UK subsidy control regime. It is seeking views on:

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has published a call for evidence on the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE 2006), SI 2006/246.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has published guidance on employment rights for unpaid carers, the guidance sets out the scope of a review into employment rights for unpaid carers. It aims to examine the adequacy of current legal protections and workplace practices for individuals providing unpaid care, identifying gaps that may hinder their ability to balance work and caring responsibilities. The review will consider whether existing rights, such as flexible working and leave entitlements, are sufficient and accessible.

The Department for Business and Trade has published a response to its consultation on the right of trade unions to access workplaces, which ran between 23 October and 18 December 2025, alongside a new consultation on a draft code of practice on the right of access as set out in the Employment Rights Act 2025. The new consultation, launched on 8 April 2026, focuses on the content of the code, and does not seek views on the policy details of the access framework.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has reported completion of the fourth round of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Turkey, held in London during the week of 23 February 2026, and stated that the talks delivered positive and productive progress across a broad range of chapters. Discussions advanced in key technical areas including investment, digital trade, telecommunications, cross‑border trade in services, the movement of business persons, legal services, trade in goods, customs and trade facilitation, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, as well as in chapters covering intellectual property, government procurement, anti‑corruption, labour, environment, state‑owned enterprises and dispute settlement. DBT highlighted that strengthening trade ties with Turkey supports the government’s priority of economic growth, noting that bilateral trade totalled £28.3bn in the year to September 2025, an increase of 5.8%, while reaffirming that any agreement must align with the UK’s national interests and uphold high standards. It confirmed that a fifth round of negotiations is expected before the summer and that Parliament will continue to be kept informed as discussions progress.

The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland has launched a public consultation on the draft Gender Pay Gap Information Regulations, as mandated by Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016. The proposed regulations will require employers in the public, private, and voluntary sectors with 250 or more employees to publish gender pay information. This threshold is subject to consultation. The initiative aims to encourage employers to identify and analyse gender pay gaps, examine their contributing policies and practices, and take remedial action. Stakeholders are invited to participate in the online consultation survey, which closes on the final day of the consultation, 14 February 2025.

In response to a question posed by Paul Waugh Labour MP, the Department for Education  has provided an answer to the significant backlog in processing cash equivalent transfer values (CETVs) for members of the Teachers' Pension Scheme. The delay, stemming from the Superannuation Contributions Adjusted for Past Experience (SCAPE) discount rate change and subsequent Transitional Protection legislation, has left 1,952 cases unprocessed as of 20 November 2024. The Department for Education anticipates clearing the majority of non-complex cases by February 2025, whilst working to establish timeframes for cases involving scheme flexibilities. Measures under consideration to expedite the process include increased automation, simplification of CETV figures, and maximising administrative resources.

In a written statement by the Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson, it was announced that the Department for Education has introduced a Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) guarantee for Further Education providers operating in the statutory sector. This development, detailed in a Departmental Minute laid before both Houses of Parliament, establishes a contingent liability whereby the government commits to fund pension deficits in the event of a provider's closure, should their reserves prove insufficient. The Department expects LGPS administering authorities to acknowledge this Crown guarantee in their funding strategies, including the determination of employer contribution rates and deficit recovery periods. This measure aims to provide financial security for the Further Education sector's pension obligations.

The Department for Education has launched a consultation seeking views on proposed changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) regulations. The amendments aim to adjust member contribution rates following the most recent valuation and update existing Fair Deal provisions to include further education colleges. Additionally, minor modifications are proposed to ensure the regulations remain current and accurately reflect the Department for Education policy. The consultation, which closes on 23 January 2025, invites responses from stakeholders likely to be affected by the proposed regulatory changes, providing an opportunity for input on these significant adjustments to the TPS framework.

The Department for Education has updated guidance for large employers regarding transferring unused apprenticeship levy funds to other businesses to pay for their apprenticeship training and assessment. The update reflects the fact that from 22 April 2024, large employers that pay the apprenticeship levy can choose to transfer up to 50% of their levy funds each year to other businesses.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published a 'Future of Flight' action plan co-designed by the aviation industry and the government through the Future of Flight Industry Group. It aims to provides a balanced approach to the growth of the future of flight industry so that it benefits the UK economy, society and environment while maintaining high standards for aviation safety and security. The action plan also lays down a roadmap for drones and novel electric aircraft in the UK. It details plans for the first piloted flying taxi flight by 2026 and regular services by 2028, regular drone deliveries by 2027 and trials of autonomous flying taxis without pilots on board by 2030.