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Government launches consultation on ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting

Adrian Fryer

The Government’s flagship Employment Rights Bill has, quite rightly, been the focus of employment law commentators since it was first announced last July. However, it wasn’t the only proposed employment legislation referenced in the King’s Speech. The Government also used the King’s Speech to announce its intention to bring forward the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, introducing a requirement for large employers (those with 250 or more employees) to report on ethnicity and disability pay gaps. It has now launched a consultation seeking views on how it should be implemented.

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Court of Appeal agrees with EAT that Ofsted inspector dismissed for brushing water off a child’s head was unfairly dismissed

Adrian Fryer

The recent Court of Appeal judgment in Hewston v Ofsted serves as a reminder to employers of the importance of using policies to set clear workplace standards. It also shows that, if an act isn’t misconduct, an employer cannot throw other factors (such as reputational damage and a lack of ‘insight’) into the mix to bump it up. In this case, the Claimant, an experienced Ofsted inspector with a clean disciplinary record, was summarily dismissed after touching a pupil’s forehead and shoulder to remove rainwater.

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Government provides clarity on the future of Statutory Sick Pay

Adrian Fryer

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the amount payable by employers when an employee is absent from work due to sickness. It is currently set at a flat rate of £118.75 (from 6th April 2025). There are certain eligibility requirements, including the fact that SSP is not currently payable during the first three days of absence, known as ‘waiting days’ and that those earning below the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) – £125 per week – were not eligible.

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Richard Riley

Partner & Head of Commercial

Richard Riley joined Bermans in March 2025 and is a Partner and Head of Commercial.

Richard works with SME’s and business owners, family managed companies, life sciences, scientific sectors advises on all areas of Commercial Law, including:

  • Data Protection (including advising on compliance/breaches and documentation)
  • Business Law (including business to business and business to consumer contracts)
  • Intellectual Property Law (including IP assignments and IP licensing)
  • IT Law (including drafting SaaS Agreements, Support and Maintenance contracts, and development agreements)
  • Consumer Law
  • Franchise Law

Richard studied Biology at the University of Edinburgh and Law at Manchester Metropolitan University, before qualifying as a Solicitor in 2009.

He is currently recognised in the Legal 500 for his work on commercial matters.

Outside of work, Richard is currently marathon running, and also enjoys spending his time Crossfit/Hyrox training, as well as going to theatre, gigs, stand up and movies.


E:richard.riley@bermans.co.uk
T: 0161 827 4612

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Arabella Pickering

Trainee Solicitor

Arabella joined Bermans as a Paralegal in January 2023 and is currently a Trainee Solicitor in our Litigation team based in Liverpool.

She works on a wide range of commercial litigation matters and works with a variety of companies and business owners.

Arabella obtained a First Class Economic History Degree from the London School of Economics and completed her GDL and LPC at the University of Law in Liverpool.

Outside of work, Arabella enjoys reading, cooking and baking.


E: arabella.pickering@bermans.co.uk
T: 0151 224 0545

 

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