Facts and Figures > Equality Legislation > Looking Ahead

2011 Forthcoming Equality Legislation

October 2011

From 1 October 2011 the default retirement age of 65 will be abolished and employers will no longer be able to retire employees in reliance on the default retirement age.

From 1 October 2011 the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 take effect giving agency workers the same basic working and employment conditions (including pay and holidays) as permanent employees after 12 weeks in a given job.

From 1 October 2011 the National Minimum Wage may rise subject to the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations in February 2011.

Further ahead

The Government has announced its intention to introduce a new system of ‘flexible parental leave’, which is likely to be the subject of a consultation exercise in 2011. It is also expected to consult over its plans to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees, regardless of whether they have caring responsibilities.