As the year draws to a close, it feels like the right moment to pause and reflect on what has been an intense, often challenging, but ultimately constructive year for FCSA and for the wider labour supply chain.
Much of our focus this year has been on policy and advocacy. The introduction of joint and several liability and the wider package of reforms around umbrella regulation represent some of the most significant changes our sector has faced in many years. These were never going to be straightforward conversations, and at times the direction of travel was uncertain. What has mattered most is that FCSA has been present, engaged, and taken seriously throughout.
One of the most important steps we took was establishing an industry working group early on. That gave us a coordinated way to bring together member insight, legal expertise and operational reality, and to engage meaningfully with HMRC and HM Treasury. As a result, we were able to mitigate the hugely damaging elements of the original proposals which were replaced with the joint and several liability regime.We went on to clarify areas of uncertainty, and help shape a framework that better reflects how the market actually operates.
Alongside this, we have significantly increased our engagement with members and the wider market. Over the course of the year we delivered more than 40 member webinars, alongside a growing programme of external webinars and industry briefings. These sessions have not been about telling people what to think, but about explaining what we know, what we don’t yet know, and how businesses can prepare sensibly for what lies ahead.
We have also continued to build strong relationships across government and the sector. Ongoing dialogue with HMRC, HM Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade has been critical, as has close working with organisations such as APSCo, REC, TEAM, IPSE and others. The appointment of Matthew Taylor as Chair of the Fair Work Agency is another important development, and one where existing relationships and shared history give us confidence that industry voices will be heard.
Away from policy, we have continued to invest in the practical infrastructure that underpins trust in this market. Diligence Hub and veriPAYE have both seen increased adoption, with agencies increasingly encouraging their use, and new features continuing to be rolled out. This work is about more than technology; it is about providing evidence, transparency and confidence at a time when those things are being demanded more than ever.
None of this work is finished. The Employment Rights Bill continues to evolve, umbrella regulation is still taking shape, and the market itself is under real pressure. But as we head into the new year, I am confident that FCSA is well positioned to continue playing its role: bringing clarity where there is uncertainty, advocating for proportionate regulation, and supporting members who are committed to doing things properly.
I want to thank our members, partners and colleagues for their engagement, challenge and support throughout the year. We look forward to continuing that work together in 2026.
I’d like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
