This week sees many positive benefits of having a Labour government elected and a landmark moment for workers across the country.
Cllr. Stefano Borella, Leader of Bexley Group said;
‘I am delighted that the Labour government is helping workers in Bexley earn decent wages and protect workers rights after years of wage stagnation and erosion of workers rights under the last Conservative government, these measures will allow Bexley residents to receive better wages that they will spend in their community and show work does pay’
- Millions of workers are set to benefit from boosts to their wages and transformational upgrades to their rights because of action taken by this Labour Government.
- From April 6th, historic measures introduced by Labour’s Employment Rights Act come into force, including day one rights for paternity and unpaid parental leave, strengthened statutory sick pay, and enhanced protections for workers who ‘blow the whistle’ on sexual harassment.
- Workers across the UK will also be taking more money home at the end of each month, with significant uplifts to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage coming in from the 1st of April.
- By bringing the UK’s outdated employment laws into the 21st century and making work pay, we’re turning the tide on the Conservatives’ record of insecurity, unproductivity, low-pay and decline.
- This month marks a new era for British businesses too. On the 7th April, the Fair Work Agency will bring together key labour market enforcement functions into a single body, ending fragmentation and creating a more joined-up system.
- That means stronger protection for vulnerable workers, clearer enforcement, and a fairer environment for the many businesses that do the right thing. The Agency will also take on responsibility for enforcing the National Minimum Wage, with HMRC continuing to deliver that work in the first year to ensure continuity during the transition.
- These measures begin coming into force next week, thanks to Labour MPs, who pushed forward the Employment Rights Act and its implementation despite repeated attempts from opposition parties to water it down, delay it or block it altogether.
- And whilst Labour is upgrading workers’ rights and strengthening security for working families, Reform have shamefully committed to stripping away these vital protections.
- This is just another example of how Reform is acting against the interests of working people, whilst Labour is raising the floor on workplace rights, delivering a stronger, fairer and brighter future for work in the UK.
Background
This week marks the implementation of significant uplifts to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW), alongside historic new measures introduced by the Employment Rights Act.
From 1st of April, an estimated 2.7 million workers across the country will take home hundreds of pounds more each year, due to significant increases to the National Minimum Wage and Living Wage delivered by this Labour Government.
Transformational measures, including Day 1 rights to Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave, and strengthened Statutory Sick Pay also come into force this month, after Labour MPs ensured the Employment Rights Act achieved Royal Assent at the end of 2025. This legislation also delivers on Labour’s commitment to create a Fair Work Agency, which will strengthen enforcement powers for employers, raise standards for the most vulnerable workers and ensure all businesses play by the same rules.
This marks the next stage in the rollout of the Employment Rights Act, set to benefit over 18 million working people, with more measures due to be implemented in the coming months.
By providing more protections for those in insecure work, and with these measures benefitting female, younger workers, and people with disabilities, Labour is creating an economy that works for everyone.
The Government will continue to engage closely with trade unions, businesses and employers, as we implement the next steps of our Make Work Pay agenda and focus on making working lives better, supporting businesses and delivering economic growth.
On the 1st of April:
- The NLW is increased to £12.71 per hour, applying to workers aged 21 and over
- The NMW rates for 18–20 year olds, 16–17 year olds, and apprentices are raised to
£10.85, £8, and £8 per hour respectively.
On the 6th of April, Employment Rights Act measures come into force including:
- collective redundancy protective award – doubling the maximum period of the protective award
- ‘Day 1’ Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave
- whistleblowing – strengthening protections for workers who ‘blow the whistle’ on sexual harassment
- Bereaved Partners’ Paternity Leave – (non-MWP measure) will enable bereaved fathers and partners to take up to 52 weeks of paternity leave if the mother or primary
adopter dies within the first year of the child’s life
- Statutory Sick Pay – removing the Lower Earnings Limit and waiting period
- action plans on gender equality and supporting employees through the menopause
(voluntary)
- menopause guidance
- simplifying trade union recognition process
On 7 April 2026:
- the establishment of the Fair Work Agency