NMWM01045 | History of National Minimum Wage and overview of legislation: the Fair Work Agency

The Fair Work Agency (FWA) was implemented from 7 April 2026 and is an Executive Agency of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Its role is to bring together existing enforcement bodies and functions such as the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS), and the Office for the Director of Labour Market Enforcement (ODLME). This means that these bodies no longer operate as separate entities, with their functions and responsibilities being absorbed into the Fair Work Agency structure.

The FWA will also take on enforcement for a wider range of employee rights including holiday pay.

HMRC continue to enforce NMW until April 2027 when the function will move to the FWA.