Home Office Consultation – Extending the Right to Work Scheme

The Right to Work Scheme requires all employers in the UK to carry out prescribed right to work checks prior to employing someone, irrespective of their nationality. Failing to conduct such checks may lead to significant penalties.

The current Home Office guidance places the requirement on all employers who employ staff under a contract of employment, service or apprenticeship, whether express or implied and whether oral or in writing.

The government is consulting on extending the right to work checks to the ‘gig economy’ and zero hour contracts. The proposed changes will make right to work checks mandatory for employers offering these type of contracts in sectors like construction, food delivery, beauty salons, courier services and warehousing.

The consultation suggests the shift towards stricter measures is inevitable, and seeks ‘views on how this change should be operationalised and enforced and how we can simplify processes to make it easier for compliant employers to fulfil their responsibilities.’

Those wishing to participate can complete the questionnaire online or return the downloadable version to: [email protected] no later than 11:59 pm on 10 December 2025.

Please take the time to complete the survey. Your feedback is important.

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