Home

The Autumn Budget 2026 delivered a Data Centre Covenant policy initiative designed to keep AI benefits in Britain and champion home-grown data centre capacity. The Government estimates that Britain needs 6 GW of AI data centre capacity by 2030 to cement Britain’s position as a player in the new AI world. The Covenant is a consolidation and strengthening of existing policy and proposed reforms, with Government supporting faster and more certain delivery of strategic data centres, in return for responsible development that delivers lasting benefits for communities.   A new Ministerial Control Centre will be established to provide support for strategic data centres.

The BCLP Employment team’s October updates in one place. This edition brings together the latest Employment Rights Act developments, including changes taking effect this month and revisions to the wider implementation timetable. This edition also considers proposed whistleblowing and modern slavery reforms, and whether "employment prenups" could help employers prepare for the removal of the unfair dismissal compensation cap in January 2027.

A trade union access request. A sexual harassment complaint. A tribunal claim that you thought had gone away landing much later than expected. October’s Employment Rights Act changes will affect how employers handle all of the above scenarios and many more. Here’s a brief summary of what’s changing this month and how to prepare your business.For further details on each of these subjects please click on the relevant links taking you to our previous articles on these.