Issue 41 – August 2024
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Fast Forward
- Understanding Ethical Labour Standards in the UK: A Guide for Sustainable Brands – Free webinar open to all – spread the word!
- Are you a UK supplier and want to join our collaborative initiative?
- SEP Supplier Training, next date September
Industry and Legislative News
- Rights to Reality: Designing a Fair Work Agency That Delivers for the Most Vulnerable Workers – new report
- Government to factor cost of living into new National Minimum Wage strategy
- BRP holders can now access eVisa ahead of expiry
Share your feedback and requests for Newsletter inclusions.
The Fast Forward Team
FAST FORWARD NEWS
Understanding Ethical Labour Standards in the UK:
A Guide for Sustainable Brands
Share the link to our free open webinar!
Many brands and entrepreneurs recognise the importance of sustainability but find it challenging to truly understand and implement ethical practices, fair worker treatment, and access trusted manufacturers in the UK. Navigating these complexities can be daunting, and there’s a risk of unknowingly supporting exploitative practices.
Join our free educational webinar to gain the knowledge needed to make ethical decisions that positively impact your brand and the lives of workers in your supply chains.
- Understanding Ethical Labour Standards: Learn what they mean and why they are crucial for a brand’s success.
- UK Regulations: Key regulations to ensure compliance.
- Responsible Purchasing: Why it’s critical.
- Valuable Insights: How our collaborative programme can support a brand’s ethical efforts, whether you’re new to the industry or have years of experience.
BOOK YOUR SPACE – and share the link!
Are you a UK supplier and want to join our collaborative initiative?
Join the Fast Forward Supplier Engagement Programme to learn how to achieve, implement and exceed legal and ethical standards in your business, build worker loyalty and engagement, enhance your reputation and access potential customers through visibility of your engagement to all Fast Forward Member Brands*.
Supplier (SEP) Training Sessions
The Supplier Engagement Programme (SEP) training sessions are now available to book through your Dashboard. This presents a valuable opportunity for both brands and suppliers to upskill and maximise the benefits of our programme.
During these 2.5-hour training sessions, your business can gain essential insights on how to effectively navigate your dedicated dashboard and self-paced Core Standards training modules, ensuring you remain well-informed about the latest standards and industry practices.
Our training sessions are open to both SEP subscribers and Brand members.
At each session, we offer dedicated breakouts for suppliers and brands separately. This provides a unique space for peer-to-peer discussions on best practice and challenges.
If you are an SEP subscriber or Member Brand review the full agenda.
LEGISLATIVE AND INDUSTRY NEWS
Rights to Reality: Designing a Fair Work Agency that Delivers for the Most Vulnerable Workers – New report
The government has announced plans to create a Fair Work Agency (FWA), designed to consolidate three major labor market enforcement bodies into a single resource for workers facing workplace issues. This new agency aims to simplify access to support and enforce workers’ rights more effectively.
This report delves into understanding the key recommendations to ensure the FWA delivers on its promises.
Government to Factor Cost of Living into
New National Minimum Wage Strategy
The government has announced a new approach to setting the National Minimum Wage. For the first time, the Low Pay Commission (LPC) will take the cost of living into account when determining both the Minimum Wage and the Living Wage rates.
Additionally, they are beginning efforts to align wage rates for all adults by reducing the gap between the National Minimum Wage for 18–20-year-olds and the National Living Wage. While the cost of living will now be a key consideration, the LPC will also continue to assess the effects on businesses, competitiveness, the labour market, and the broader economy. Read more
BRP holders can now access eVisa
ahead of expiry
The Home Office announced that from 6 August 2024, any person with a biometric residence permit (BRP) expiring on 31 December 2024 can now create a UKVI account and access their eVisa, without needing an invitation from UKVI to do so. Visit the Online Immigration Status (eVisa) for more information.
Just Good Work
Just Good Work is a free, interactive mobile app giving jobseekers and workers from the UK or abroad critical information and advice on recruitment and employment. The Fast Forward audit requires businesses to display the Just Good Work poster.
Posters are available to download for free in nine languages from the Fast Forward website: Albanian, Bulgarian, English, Croatian, Gujarati, Polish, Romanian, Serbian and Ukrainian.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE
IN THIS NEWSLETTER?
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“A world where all workers are recruited responsibly and
have fair work free from exploitation.”
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