[UK] Right to work compliance obligations expand from October 1

In the UK, the government has published an updated draft of the Employer's Guide to Right to Work Checks, incorporating stakeholder feedback on the version released on July 16, 2026, EY reports.

The new guidance will take effect on October 1.

The latest draft reportedly offers further clarification on the expanded scope of the right to work scheme, including a new assessment section for determining employment status. In addition, the government guidance provides clearer definitions of key concepts, confirms that right to work checks can be delegated across all checking methods and includes updated examples to help employers understand how the rules apply to different workforce arrangements.

It clarifies that the new extended liability provisions are not retrospective and will generally apply only to contractual arrangements entered into on or after October 1, 2026. Existing contracts will not automatically be brought within scope simply because the work continues beyond October 1, 2026. EY advises organisations to review ongoing arrangements to ensure appropriate illegal working controls are in place.  

Source: EY

In the UK, the government has published an updated draft of the Employer's Guide to Right to Work Checks, incorporating stakeholder feedback on the version released on July 16, 2026, EY reports.

The new guidance will take effect on October 1.

The latest draft reportedly offers further clarification on the expanded scope of the right to work scheme, including a new assessment section for determining employment status. In addition, the government guidance provides clearer definitions of key concepts, confirms that right to work checks can be delegated across all checking methods and includes updated examples to help employers understand how the rules apply to different workforce arrangements.

It clarifies that the new extended liability provisions are not retrospective and will generally apply only to contractual arrangements entered into on or after October 1, 2026. Existing contracts will not automatically be brought within scope simply because the work continues beyond October 1, 2026. EY advises organisations to review ongoing arrangements to ensure appropriate illegal working controls are in place.  

Source: EY