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Employers urged to prepare for new Right to Work checks from 1 October

Employers urged to prepare for new Right to Work checks from 1 October

by | 22 Sep, 2026 | Employment, Main News Feed

From 1 October 2026, liability for right to work checks will be extended to include sub‐contractors, agency workers, and casual and temporary workers, and the Government has published guidance setting out what employers need to do to be provided with a ‘statutory excuse’ against extended liability if found to be employing someone illegally.

Under the new guidance, employers must have the following in place for workers who they are not in a direct contractual relationship with

  • Contractual terms and conditions – Before work commences, there must be a written statement in place incorporating a number of specific terms and conditions, which include requiring the other party to carry out prescribed right to work checks on any individual employed and prohibiting further sub-contracting of the work without prior written consent.
  • Substitution controls – Where a contract permits substitution, processes must be in place to ensure that a prescribed right to work check is carried out on any substitute before work takes place.
  • Identity verification – There must be proportionate systems to ensure that the individual carrying out the work is the same individual on whom a right to work check has been conducted, which may include workplace passes, facial recognition technology or biometric systems.

There are a number of options available for ensuring individuals are legally entitled to work in the UK, and employers conducting right to work checks in accordance with the guidance will receive a statutory excuse, which protects them from liability in the event that they are later found to be employing someone illegally. Without a statutory excuse, employers face significant penalties, which could be up to a maximum of £60,000 per worker.

Upcoming Changes to Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship: Key Updates for Employers

Upcoming Changes to Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship: Key Updates for Employers

by | 23 Oct, 2025 | Employment, Labour, Skills

Significant changes to visa sponsorship were announced on 14 October 2025 which will impact on upcoming Skilled Worker visa applications. Please see below for a summary of the changes:
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) Increase – Effective 16 December 2025
The Immigration Skills Charge will increase by 32% from 16 December 2025. This means an increase for small and charitable companies of £364 a year to £480, and for medium and large companies an increase from £1,000 a year to £1,320.
The additional costs of future hires and extensions can be avoided by assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship before 16 December 2025.
Sponsors should check now that they have an available allocation of Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship and consider their sponsorship plans in light of these increases.
English Language Requirement Increase – Effective 8 January 2026
From 8 January 2026, the required English language level for Skilled Worker visa applicants will rise from B1 to B2 under the CEFR scale. We advise that applicants intending to join the Skilled Worker route submit their applications before 8 January 2026 to avoid being impacted by this change. Please note that current Skilled Worker visa holders will not be affected and will not be required to take a new test.
Visa processing Delays and Holiday Travel
Visa processing times have lengthened significantly due to a surge in applications following earlier rule changes in July 2025. UKVI is currently experiencing a substantial backlog, and we are seeing many standard applications take the full 8 weeks or longer to receive a decision.
If applicants need to travel over the Christmas period, we strongly advise using the Priority Service (£500 additional fee) to receive a decision within 5 working days of submission or biometric enrolment (depending on application type).
UKVI anticipates another spike in applications due to the upcoming ISC and English language changes, which may further impact processing times.
Sponsor Management Reporting and Compliance
UKVI is increasingly focusing on compliance checks relating to changes in salary and using intelligence provided by HMRC. Sponsors are being warned to ensure that all payments, including periods of unpaid leave, maternity leave, or other absences, are properly reported on the Sponsor Management System. Failure to do so may trigger a compliance audit, as UKVI is targeting sponsors who delay payments for months and then make large lump-sum payments.
Additionally, the right-to-work checks are expected to move entirely digital in the future, reducing or eliminating in-person verification. Employers should be prepared for these changes and ensure their processes and staff training are updated accordingly.
If you require advice on how these changes may affect your business or have any upcoming applications to process, please contact us – we are here to help.
Mandatory Identity Verification for all Directors

Mandatory Identity Verification for all Directors

by | 24 Jun, 2025 | Contractual and Legal, Employment

From this Autumn, it will become mandatory for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) to verify their identity to prove who they are. This is a new legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to help prevent people using companies for illegal purposes.

Taking action now will help you to avoid delays or complications. If your company has multiple officers, allow plenty of time for each one to verify their identity. Directors based outside of the UK may also need extra time if they plan to use an authorised agent, also known as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify their identity.

You can verify:

  • online using GOV.​UK One Login – if you have the identity documents or information required
  • in person at selected Post Offices – you must live in the UK and will need to use the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service first to find out if you can verify this way
  • using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – for example, an accountant or solicitor who has registered as a Companies House authorised agent (you’ll need to provide suitable identity documents)

What happens when you verify

Identity verification is a two-step process.

Step 1: Verify your identity and get your Companies House personal code.  This code is personal to you, not the company. Keep this information secure until you need to use it. You can view your personal code in the ‘manage account’ section of your Companies House account.

Step 2: From autumn 2025, link your verified identity to Companies House records.  Information on how to do this has not yet been issued.

The Act gives Companies House the power to play a more significant role in disrupting economic crime and supporting economic growth. Over time, the aims is that the measures will lead to improved transparency and more accurate and trusted information on its registers.

There will also be new responsibilities for:

  • all new and existing company directors
  • people with significant control of a company (PSCs)
  • anyone who files information on behalf of a company

More details can be found here and a guide to changes to Company Law can be found here.

FIS partners with The Skills Centre to tackle skills shortage in the finishes and interiors sector

FIS partners with The Skills Centre to tackle skills shortage in the finishes and interiors sector

by | 15 Apr, 2025 | Employment, Skills

FIS is delighted to announce its new partnership with The Skills Centre to deliver essential training and support for individuals pursuing careers in the finishes and interiors sector. This collaboration aims to address the growing skills shortage in construction, specifically in this sector, which faces a critical demand for skilled workers.

According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the construction sector will require an additional 251,500 workers by 2028. Furthermore, 61% of FIS members report struggling to find skilled workers, highlighting the urgency of this partnership to  address the skills gap. As the UK continues to invest in reaching its Net Zero targets, retrofit projects will increase, driving continued demand for insulation and drylining skills as the 2050 deadline approaches.

Through this collaboration, The Skills Centre will deliver a series of Bootcamps designed to provide individuals with the hands-on training and industry-specific knowledge necessary to kickstart their careers in the finishes and interiors sector. These intensive programmes will bridge the gap between talent supply and employer demand, offering practical experience and career support to participants.

The first offering will be an Introduction to Insulation and Drylining course, which is a free, eight-week programme. Successful participants will earn a Level 2 qualification. The training and qualifications* will include:

In addition, a new Drylining Apprenticeship will be available for pre-screened local candidates who have come through funded Bootcamps. This specialist training will cover Partition Walls, MF Ceilings, Grid Ceilings, Shaft Walls, Metsec Installation, Rainscreen Cladding and Passive Fire Protection.

Employers in the finishes and interiors sector are encouraged to get involved and support the initiative by providing interview opportunities or offering work experience placements with a view to future employment. The initiative aims to support workforce development, create opportunities for career growth, and enhance the talent pipeline within the sector.

Commenting on the initiative, FIS Head of Skills Beena Nana, said:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with The Skills Centre to enhance the support we provide to our members while tackling the growing skills shortages in our industry. This partnership enables us to combine resources and expertise, fostering opportunities for development, training, and growth, which will ultimately benefit our members and the broader community by addressing critical workforce challenges.”

Sam Downton, Director at The Skills Centre added:

“Our new partnership with FIS marks a significant step forward for the interior systems and drylining sector. This part of the industry plays a critical role in shaping the internal environments where we live, work, and learn—but it continues to face skills shortages and often flies under the radar as a long-term, rewarding career option.

“Joining forces with FIS brings together their sector leadership and our expertise in delivering high-quality, hands-on training. Central to this partnership are our specialist Bootcamps, which are imperative for attracting new talent into the industry. They provide a direct route for individuals—many of whom are new to construction—to gain essential skills, site experience, and the confidence to move straight into employment.

“For employers, these Bootcamps open up access to a wider, work-ready talent pool and offer a practical solution to workforce gaps. Together with FIS, we’re not only building stronger pathways into the sector, but also helping to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and skilled future for interior systems and drylining across London and Essex”.

Employers can also attend planned visits to the following training centres to meet candidates and see the training in action:

  • Build East, Stratford – Wednesday, 30 April, 14:00 – 16:00
  • West Horndon, Essex – Wednesday, 14 May, 12:00 – 14:00

If you are an employer interested in attending any of these sessions or would like to support this initiative, please contact Beena Nana at beenanana@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077.

For employers interested in finding out more about the Bootcamps and how they can get involved, a dedicated webinar will provide all the information needed to get started.

*Actual qualifications delivered may vary based on employer demand at the time of delivery.