Ashfords’ employment team continues to update you and provide insights on some of the key employment and immigration law developments from the past quarter.
In this edition, our experts:
After months of debate, the Employment Rights Bill is now the Employment Rights Act 2025 - the biggest UK employment law reform in decades. This article covers its key amendments, phased rollout, and what employers must do next.
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The UK’s ETA Scheme, introduced in 2023, will become fully enforced from 25 February 2026, meaning eligible visitors must hold an ETA to travel legally. This article explains who needs an ETA, how to apply, and what the upcoming enforcement means for travellers, dual nationals and businesses.
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In corporate transactions, immigration compliance is often overlooked, but any merger, acquisition or restructure can affect your sponsor licence and sponsored workers. This article highlights the risks, including potential staffing and operational disruption, and offers guidance on managing sponsor licence and right to work obligations during organisational change.
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The Court of Appeal has ruled in Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom that a supposed ‘volunteer’ station officer was in fact a worker, giving him the rights workers are entitled to. This article outlines the decision and its implications for organisations that rely on volunteers.
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OnlyFans has grown to over 300 million users since 2016, becoming synonymous with adult content despite hosting diverse material. Rising creator numbers, driven by cost-of-living pressures and easy access, mean employers may increasingly encounter staff producing sexualised content outside work. This article outlines the law so far and offers guidance for employers.
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On 27 October 2025, the Law Society issued new guidance on whistleblowing for in-house solicitors. It covers what qualifies as a protected disclosure, how legal professional privilege impacts reporting, and the duties and risks involved. Our summary highlights key points and practical steps for navigating these complex obligations.
Guidance on whistleblowing as an in-house solicitor
Ashfords has appointed partner Ben Xu, an immigration specialist, to its employment team in London, bolstering the firm's immigration offering in the capital. Ben specialises in business immigration and advises on matters across a wide range of sectors including digital and technology, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, business service industries and accountancy.
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