OpenLegislation

Employment Rights Act 2025 in Northern Ireland

2025 c. 36 · Enacted 18 December 2025 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 7 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 30 October 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 69(3)(a)omittedEmployment Rights Act 2025 s. 68(6)(b)
Sch. 3 para. 1coming into forceEmployment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4) 2026 reg. 3(b)
s. 25(1)-(4)coming into forceEmployment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4) 2026 reg. 3(a)
Sch. 3 para. 2coming into forceEmployment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4) 2026 reg. 3(b)
Sch. 3 para. 3coming into forceEmployment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4) 2026 reg. 3(b)
Sch. 3 para. 4coming into forceEmployment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4) 2026 reg. 3(b)
s. 25(5)coming into forceEmployment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4) 2026 reg. 3(a)

An Act to make provision to amend the law relating to employment rights; to make provision about procedure for handling redundancies; to make provision about the treatment of workers involved in the supply of services under certain public contracts; to provide for duties to be imposed on employers in relation to equality; to amend the definition of “employment business” in the Employment Agencies Act 1973; to provide for the establishment of the School Support Staff Negotiating Body and Social Care Negotiating Bodies; to amend the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023; to make provision for the implementation of international agreements relating to maritime employment; to make provision about trade unions, industrial action, employers’ associations and the functions of the Certification Officer; to make provision about the enforcement of legislation relating to the labour market; and for connected purposes.

[18th December 2025]

Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Part 1: Employment rights
  2. Statutory sick pay
  3. 12Statutory sick pay in Northern Ireland: removal of waiting period
  4. 13Statutory sick pay in Northern Ireland: lower earnings limit etc
  5. Part 2: Other matters relating to employment
  6. Public sector outsourcing: protection of workers
  7. 32Public sector outsourcing: protection of workers
  8. Part 3: Pay and conditions in particular sectors
  9. Chapter 3: Seafarers
  10. 56Seafarers’ wages and working conditions
  11. 57International agreements relating to maritime employment
  12. Part 5: Enforcement of labour market legislation
  13. General
  14. 90Enforcement of labour market legislation by Secretary of State
  15. 91Enforcement functions of Secretary of State
  16. 92Delegation of functions
  17. Advisory Board
  18. 93Advisory Board
  19. Strategies and reports
  20. 94Labour market enforcement strategy
  21. 95Annual reports
  22. Powers to obtain documents or information
  23. 96Power to obtain documents or information
  24. 97Power to enter premises in order to obtain documents, etc
  25. 98Power to enter dwelling subject to warrant
  26. 99Supplementary powers in relation to documents
  27. 100Retention of documents
  28. Other powers to investigate non-compliance
  29. 101Powers of enforcement officers under Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
  30. 102Offences relating to gangmasters: power to enter premises with warrant
  31. Notices of underpayment
  32. 103Power to give notice of underpayment
  33. 104Calculation of the required sum
  34. 105Period to which notice of underpayment may relate
  35. 106Notices of underpayment: further provision
  36. 107Penalties for underpayment
  37. 108Further provision about penalties
  38. 109Suspension of penalty where criminal proceedings have been brought, etc
  39. 110Appeals against notices of underpayment
  40. 111Withdrawal of notice of underpayment
  41. 112Replacement notice of underpayment
  42. 113Effect of replacement notice of underpayment
  43. 114Enforcement of requirement to pay sums due to individuals
  44. 115Enforcement of requirement to pay penalty
  45. Powers relating to civil proceedings
  46. 116Power to bring proceedings in employment tribunal Not yet in force
  47. 117Power to provide legal assistance Not yet in force
  48. 118Recovery of costs of legal assistance
  49. Labour market enforcement undertakings
  50. 119Power to request LME undertaking
  51. 120Measures in LME undertakings
  52. 121Duration of LME undertakings
  53. 122Means of giving notice under section 119
  54. Labour market enforcement orders
  55. 123Power to make LME order on application
  56. 124Applications for LME orders
  57. 125Power to make LME order on conviction
  58. 126Measures in LME orders
  59. 127Further provision about LME orders
  60. 128Variation and discharge of LME orders
  61. 129LME orders: appeals
  62. Safeguards etc
  63. 130Evidence of authority
  64. 131Warrants
  65. 132Items subject to legal privilege
  66. 133Privilege against self-incrimination
  67. 134Information relating to the intelligence services, etc
  68. Disclosure of information
  69. 135Disclosure of information
  70. 136Disclosure of information: supplementary provision
  71. 137Restriction on disclosure of HMRC information
  72. 138Restriction on disclosure of intelligence service information
  73. Offences
  74. 139Offence of failing to comply with LME order
  75. 140Offence of providing false information or documents
  76. 141Providing false information or documents: national security etc defence
  77. 142Offence of obstruction
  78. Recovery of enforcement costs
  79. 143Power to recover costs of enforcement
  80. Supplementary
  81. 144Offences by bodies corporate
  82. 145Application of this Part to partnerships
  83. 146Application of this Part to unincorporated associations
  84. 147Application of this Part to the Crown and Parliament
  85. 148Abolition of existing enforcement authorities
  86. 149Consequential and transitional provision
  87. Interpretation of this Part
  88. 150Meaning of “non-compliance with relevant labour market legislation”
  89. 151Interpretation: general
  90. Part 6: Miscellaneous and general
  91. Tribunals
  92. 152Increase in time limits for making claims
  93. Regulations etc under Employment Rights Act 1996
  94. 153Orders and regulations under Employment Rights Act 1996: procedure
  95. Final provisions
  96. 154Power to make consequential amendments
  97. 155Power to make transitional or saving provision
  98. 156Regulations
  99. 157Financial provision
  100. 158Extent
  101. 159Commencement
  102. 160Short title
  103. 3Paragraph 3
  104. 4Paragraph 4
  105. 5Paragraph 5
  106. 7Paragraph 7
  107. 8Paragraph 8
  108. 9Paragraph 9
  109. 10Paragraph 10
  110. 11Paragraph 11
  111. 12Paragraph 12
  112. 13Paragraph 13
  113. 14Paragraph 14
  114. 15Paragraph 15
  115. 16Paragraph 16
  116. 17Paragraph 17
  117. 18Paragraph 18
  118. 19Paragraph 19
  119. 20Paragraph 20
  120. 21Paragraph 21
  121. 22Paragraph 22
  122. 23Paragraph 23
  123. 24Paragraph 24
  124. 25Paragraph 25
  125. 26Paragraph 26
  126. 27Paragraph 27
  127. 28Paragraph 28
  128. 29Paragraph 29
  129. 30Paragraph 30
  130. Schedule 5: Seafarers’ wages and working conditions
  131. 1Amendment of Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023
  132. 2Part 1 of the Act: relevant services
  133. 3Paragraph 3
  134. 4Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Act: non-qualifying seafarers
  135. 5Paragraph 5
  136. 6Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Act: national minimum wage equivalence declarations
  137. 7Paragraph 7
  138. 8Paragraph 8
  139. 9Chapters 3 and 4 of Part 2 of the Act: remuneration regulations and declarations
  140. 10Part 3 of the Act: seafarers’ working conditions
  141. 11Part 4 of the Act: enforcement of Parts 2 and 3
  142. 12Paragraph 12
  143. 13Paragraph 13
  144. 14Paragraph 14
  145. 15Paragraph 15
  146. 16Paragraph 16
  147. 17Paragraph 17
  148. 18Paragraph 18
  149. 19Paragraph 19
  150. 20Part 5 of the Act: general and final provisions
  151. 21Paragraph 21
  152. 22Paragraph 22
  153. 23Paragraph 23
  154. 24Amendment of title of the Act
  155. 5Paragraph 5
  156. 12Paragraph 12
  157. 14Paragraph 14
  158. 19Paragraph 19
  159. 21Paragraph 21
  160. 28Paragraph 28
  161. 29Paragraph 29
  162. 30Paragraph 30
  163. 31Paragraph 31
  164. 32Paragraph 32
  165. 33Paragraph 33
  166. 37Paragraph 37
  167. 38Paragraph 38
  168. 39Paragraph 39
  169. 43Paragraph 43
  170. 44Paragraph 44
  171. 45Paragraph 45
  172. 50Paragraph 50
  173. 51Paragraph 51
  174. 52Paragraph 52
  175. 53Paragraph 53
  176. 54Paragraph 54
  177. 55Paragraph 55
  178. 57Paragraph 57
  179. 58Paragraph 58
  180. 59Paragraph 59
  181. 60Paragraph 60
  182. 61Paragraph 61
  183. 63Paragraph 63
  184. 64Paragraph 64
  185. Schedule 7: Legislation subject to enforcement under Part 5
  186. Part 1: Relevant labour market legislation
  187. 1Employment Agencies Act 1973
  188. 2Paragraph 2
  189. 3Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 Not yet in force
  190. 4Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 Not yet in force
  191. 5Social Security Administration Act 1992 Not yet in force
  192. 6Social Security Administration Act 1992 Not yet in force
  193. 7Social Security Administration Act 1992 Not yet in force
  194. 8Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 Not yet in force
  195. 9Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 Not yet in force
  196. 10Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 Not yet in force
  197. 11Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 Not yet in force
  198. 12Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 Not yet in force
  199. 13Employment Tribunals Act 1996
  200. 14National Minimum Wage Act 1998
  201. 15Paragraph 15
  202. 16Paragraph 16
  203. 17Paragraph 17
  204. 18Paragraph 18
  205. 19Paragraph 19
  206. 20Paragraph 20
  207. 21Working Time Regulations 1998 Not yet in force
  208. 22Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004
  209. 23Paragraph 23
  210. 24Paragraph 24
  211. 25Paragraph 25
  212. 26Paragraph 26
  213. 27Fraud Act 2006
  214. 28Modern Slavery Act 2015
  215. 29Paragraph 29
  216. 30Paragraph 30
  217. 31Employment Rights Act 2025 Not yet in force
  218. 32Paragraph 32 Not yet in force
  219. 33Paragraph 33
  220. 34Paragraph 34
  221. Part 2: Power to amend Part 1
  222. 35Paragraph 35
  223. Schedule 8: Warrants under Part 5: further provision
  224. Part 1: Application of this Schedule
  225. 1Paragraph 1
  226. Part 2: Warrants: applications and safeguards
  227. 2Applications for warrants
  228. 3Safeguards in connection with power of entry conferred by warrant
  229. 4Paragraph 4
  230. 5Paragraph 5
  231. Part 3: Execution of warrants
  232. 6Warrant to be executed within three months
  233. 7Time of entry
  234. 8Evidence of authority etc
  235. 9Securing premises after entry
  236. 10Return and retention of warrants
  237. Schedule 9: Persons to whom information may be disclosed under section 135
  238. Authorities with functions in connection with the labour market or the workplace etc
  239. Law enforcement and border security
  240. Local government
  241. Health and social care bodies
  242. Other persons
  243. Schedule 10: Consequential amendments relating to Part 5
  244. Part 1: Existing powers under relevant labour market legislation
  245. 1Employment Agencies Act 1973
  246. 2Paragraph 2
  247. 3Paragraph 3
  248. 4Paragraph 4
  249. 5Part 2A of Employment Tribunals Act 1996
  250. 6Paragraph 6
  251. 7Paragraph 7
  252. 8Paragraph 8
  253. 9Paragraph 9
  254. 10Paragraph 10
  255. 11Paragraph 11
  256. 12Paragraph 12
  257. 13Paragraph 13
  258. 14Paragraph 14
  259. 15Paragraph 15
  260. 16Paragraph 16
  261. 17National Minimum Wage Act 1998
  262. 18Paragraph 18
  263. 19Paragraph 19
  264. 20Paragraph 20
  265. 21Paragraph 21
  266. 22Paragraph 22
  267. 23Paragraph 23
  268. 24Paragraph 24
  269. 25Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004
  270. 26Paragraph 26
  271. 27Paragraph 27
  272. 28Paragraph 28
  273. 29Paragraph 29
  274. 30Paragraph 30
  275. 31Paragraph 31
  276. 32Paragraph 32
  277. 33Paragraph 33
  278. 34Paragraph 34
  279. 35Paragraph 35
  280. 36Paragraph 36
  281. 37Paragraph 37
  282. 38Paragraph 38
  283. 39Paragraph 39
  284. 40Paragraph 40
  285. 41Paragraph 41
  286. 42Paragraph 42
  287. 43Paragraph 43
  288. 44Paragraph 44
  289. 45Paragraph 45
  290. 46Modern Slavery Act 2015
  291. 47Paragraph 47
  292. 48Paragraph 48
  293. 49Paragraph 49
  294. 50Paragraph 50
  295. 51Paragraph 51
  296. 52Paragraph 52
  297. 53Paragraph 53
  298. 54Paragraph 54
  299. 55Paragraph 55
  300. 56Paragraph 56
  301. Part 2: Other consequential amendments
  302. 57Public Records Act 1958
  303. 58Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967
  304. 59Superannuation Act 1972
  305. 60House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975
  306. 61Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975
  307. 62Employment Protection Act 1975
  308. 63Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
  309. 64Companies Act 1985
  310. 65Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992
  311. 66Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
  312. 67Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994
  313. 68Employment Tribunals Act 1996
  314. 69Employment Relations Act 1999
  315. 70Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  316. 71Finance Act 2000
  317. 72Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
  318. 73Freedom of Information Act 2000
  319. 74Police Reform Act 2002
  320. 75Employment Relations Act 2004
  321. 76Civil Partnership Act 2004
  322. 77Pensions Act 2004
  323. 78Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005
  324. 79Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
  325. 80Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008
  326. 81Employment Act 2008
  327. 82Equality Act 2010
  328. 83Financial Services Act 2012
  329. 84Modern Slavery Act 2015
  330. 85Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015
  331. 86Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015
  332. 87Immigration Act 2016
  333. 88Investigatory Powers Act 2016
  334. 89Policing and Crime Act 2017
  335. 90Data Protection Act 2018
  336. 91Sentencing Act 2020
  337. 92Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
  338. 93Procurement Act 2023
  339. Schedule 11: Transitional and saving provision relating to Part 5
  340. Part 1: Abolition of existing enforcement authorities: transfer schemes
  341. 1Staff transfer schemes
  342. 2Property transfer schemes
  343. 3Continuity
  344. 4Supplementary provision, etc
  345. 5Interpretation
  346. Part 2: Other transitional and saving provision
  347. 6General
  348. 7Powers to obtain documents etc
  349. 8Labour abuse prevention officers
  350. 9Warrants
  351. 10Paragraph 10
  352. 11LME undertakings and orders
  353. 12Information
  354. 13Paragraph 13
  355. 14Paragraph 14
  356. 15Orders under Modern Slavery Act 2015
  357. 16Paragraph 16
  358. 17Paragraph 17
  359. 18Notices of underpayment under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998
  360. 19Enforcement of agricultural wages legislation
  361. 20Appeals under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004: Northern Ireland licences
  362. Schedule 12: Increase in time limits for making claims
  363. 1Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977
  364. 2Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992
  365. 3Pension Schemes Act 1993
  366. 4Employment Rights Act 1996
  367. 5Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996
  368. 6Working Time Regulations 1998
  369. 7National Minimum Wage Act 1998
  370. 8Employment Relations Act 1999
  371. 9Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 1999
  372. 11Civil Aviation (Working Time) Regulations 2004
  373. 14Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2006
  374. 15Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations 2008
  375. 16European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Great Britain) Regulations 2009
  376. 17Agency Workers Regulations 2010
  377. 18Equality Act 2010
  378. 19Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations 2018