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Published: 29-Sep-25 | By APSCo
Public Policy
Political Monitor UK | September 29th Edition
APSCo News
The Government announced that the Autumn Budget will take place on 26th November. A Budget Consultation portal has opened here, with a deadline of 15th October. APSCo will be making a submission to HM Treasury on behalf of members.
Umbrella Reforms
- Ahead of the Umbrella Company reforms coming into force from April 2026, APSCo submitted a response to Government on members’ behalf, which you can find here.
- APSCo also provided members with a pro-forma letter for MPs, which you can use to raise key arguments on the importance of regulating rogue Umbrellas.
- APSCo are running further webinars and in-person member meetings on Umbrella Companies. You can find details here, if you’d like to attend and get involved.
Key Information Document Survey
As part of a review of Key Information Document regulations, the Department for Business and Trade is calling for contractors and agency workers to have their say via a survey.
Please can members circulate this link to their candidates and contractors and urge them to complete the short survey.
Political Update
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Parliament is currently on recess for the party conference season and will not sit again until 12th October
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The Liberal Democrat Conference took place last week, with party leader Sir Ed Davey seeking to position the party in opposition to Reform UK. At their Conference, they passed a motion on NHS staff shortages and the social care system; and a motion calling for action on tax, skills, and apprenticeships, to support the hospitality sector.
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Labour Party Conference began this weekend and is dominating the political headlines:
- Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has suggested that Labour MPs have been privately urging him to stand for Parliament and challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership.
- Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will announce today that young people who turn down a job after 18 months on benefits will face being stripped of their state handouts. She will announce a ‘youth guarantee’ of education, training, or work 18-21 year-olds.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahood will announce in her speech reforms to Indefinite Leave to Remain, arguing that in order to qualify for permanent settlement, foreign citizens will have to volunteer in their community … have a “spotless” criminal record … speak English to a high standard … and be a net contributor to the economy.
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During the recent State Visit, President Trump and Sir Keir Starmer signed a UK-US Tech Deal promising £150bn of US investment in tech, AI, and nuclear across the UK.
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The European Commission is pushing hard for the UK to rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme and is arguing for a deal by the end of October. Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds indicated that discussions are still in their early stages.
Parliament & Regulation
Employment Rights Bill:
- Lords amendments to the Employment Rights Bill were considered in the Commons on 15th The Lords will re-consider the Commons’ amendments in mid-October, delaying Royal Assent.
- The Government celebrated the overturn of Tory amendments in the Commons which would have weakened day-one protections and zero-hour contracts limits.
- Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary and candidate for the Labour Deputy Leadership, vowed to protect the workers’ rights Bill from being watered down.
- The Work Foundation think tank reports that more than 1m workers in the UK will gain new rights under the Bill.
English Devolution Bill:
- The Committee Stage of the English Devolution Bill, which will grant new skills powers to Mayors, began on 16th September and will continue once the Commons returns in October.
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