Fair Work Agency
The Fair Work Agency (FWA) is an executive agency of the Department for Business and Trade and is responsible for enforcing employment rights in the United Kingdom.[1]
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Type | Executive Agency |
| Jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
| Annual budget | £60.1 million (2026-27)[2] |
Agency executive |
|
Parent agency | Department for Business and Trade |
History
The FWA was created on 7 April 2026 following the passing of the Employment Rights Act 2025.[3] It brought together the powers of four former public bodies; the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the National Minimum Wage enforcement team and the Office of the Director of Labour Market Abuse.[4]
Appoitments
The FWA appointed Lisa Penny OBE as CEO of the organization in April 2026 her last role having been as CEO of Mining Remediation Authority known colloquially as the Coal Authority. Upon taking the role Lisa described the mission of the FWA which was "to support workers, simplify compliance for businesses and ensure fair and lawful treatment for all"[5] .
In a press statement the minister, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection MP Kate Dearden commented that by appointing Lisa the FWA would be "delivering our Plan to Make Work Pay — ensuring workers get the rights and protections they are entitled to, while creating a simpler, fairer system and source of advice for employers."[5]
Scope
The FWA negotiated funding of £60.1 million for the financial year of 26-27 this represents an increase of over 25% from the combined £47.4 million budget of the various predecessor bodies it replaced.[2]
References
- ↑ "About us". gov.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
- 1 2 Creagh, Matt (17 April 2026). "New Fair Work Agency: latest developments and union priorities". Trades Union Congress. TUC. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
- ↑ "The new Fair Work Agency – latest developments and union priorities". TUC. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ↑ "Fair Work Agency's priorities criticised days before its launch". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
- 1 2 Department for Business and Trade; Fair Work Agency; Dearden, Kate (2 March 2026). "Lisa Pinney announced as CEO to the Fair Work Agency". GOV.UK (Press release). Retrieved 15 July 2026.
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