Legislation

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    2025 UK fire safety regulation updates: a quick guide

    The regulatory landscape covering fire safety arrangements and structural features in domestic and commercial buildings has undergone a number of significant changes in recent years, making it essential for responsible persons to review their approach to keeping residents, workers and the nearby public safe from the risk of fire. 

    By Chloe Miller on 11 July 2025

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    Celebrating 50 years of The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

    Upon its introduction half a century ago, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 ushered in a new regulatory system, philosophy and regulator for managing occupational safety and health (OSH) risks in Britain. To mark this landmark anniversary, four former senior Health and Safety Executive staff have published a book exploring how the system which underpins Britain’s OSH performance has survived for so long and weathered various challenges along the way.

    By David Ashton, Kevin Myers, David Eves and David Snowball on 03 June 2025

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    Updated sentencing guidelines could see fines ‘significantly increase’ for health and safety offences

    Very large organisations (VLOs) could face higher fines for health and safety offences under amended guidelines published by the Sentencing Council.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 13 June 2025

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    Making good work the foundation

    In 2024, for the first time, the UK dropped out of the list of the top 20 happiest countries: according to the World Happiness Index. This year, the UK rests in 23rd place, slightly ahead of the US and behind the Nordic countries, Germany, the UAE and others.

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 07 April 2025

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    Venue owners have two years to tighten up safety as Martyn’s Law passes Royal Assent

    Owners of sports grounds, theatres and other venues with a capacity of more than 200 should carry out a terrorism evaluation to understand their duties under a new law given Royal Assent.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 04 April 2025

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    Employers urged to get ready for new equality-based rights

    Employers should “start preparing now” for three key measures expected in Employment Rights Bill which will give women enhanced rights in the workplace, said a senior lawyer.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 03 April 2025

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    Poor-quality work “worse for health than being unemployed”, says report

    1.7 million workers in Great Britain suffer from health conditions caused or made worse by their job – higher than before the pandemic, a new report has found.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 13 March 2025

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    Zero-hours contract rights extended to agency workers under Employment Rights Bill amendments

    A ban on “exploitative” zero-hours contracts will be extended to include agency workers and statutory sick pay rules will be strengthened, as part of a series of amendments to the Employment Rights Bill tabled by the Government on 4 March.

    By Kerry Reals on 04 March 2025

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    MPs push for four-day week amendment to Employment Rights Bill

    More than a dozen Members of Parliament have backed a proposed amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, calling for the Government to take a closer look at how the UK could transition to a four-day working week without a reduction in pay.

    By Kerry Reals on 14 February 2025

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    Building Safety Regulator to receive £2 million in Government funding

    The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) will receive £2 million of funding to help speed up the delivery of large-scale housing developments across the country, the UK Government has announced.

    By Kerry Reals on 13 February 2025