More than 100 delegates gathered in Birmingham for the first Fair Work Assembly, according to a news story published on 9 October 2026. The Fair Work Agency said the event, held earlier that week, brought together representatives from trade unions, employers, civil society organisations and academia to discuss employment rights enforcement, emerging labour market risks and the agency's future priorities.

Sessions covered the employment rights agenda, labour market issues, lessons from people with lived experience of labour abuse or exploitation, and examples of best practice supporting compliance. Agency chief executive Lisa Pinney OBE and Advisory Board chair Matthew Taylor CBE took part alongside board members.

Taylor said tackling non-compliance and exploitation cannot be achieved by any single organisation and described partnerships as essential. Pinney said enforcement is an important part of the agency's role but that it also wants to support businesses in improving compliance, calling the assembly the beginning of a conversation with stakeholders.