News story

Upcoming changes due to the Employment Rights Act 2025

Upcoming changes due to the Employment Rights Act 2025

From 6 April 2026, the statutory recognition scheme is being reshaped under the new Employment Rights Act, introducing several key changes. Unions will no longer need to demonstrate that most workers in a proposed bargaining unit are likely to support recognition, removing the requirement for petitions or similar evidence. When recognition is decided by ballot, unions will only need a simple majority of votes cast, with the former 40% support requirement removed.

Please visit these links for further information.

Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update

Trade union requirements

Updates to this page

Published 4 February 2026