In the latest episode of our podcast, Matthew Ramsey is joined by competition law experts Rachel Carter and Fiona Beattie to explore the emerging intersection between employment law and competition law – an area often overlooked by HR professionals.

They cover:

• how competition law principles apply to employment relationships, beyond traditional restraint of trade clauses;
• recent enforcement actions in the UK, EU, and US targeting anti-competitive practices in labour markets, such as no-poach agreements and informal pay information sharing; and
• best practices for HR teams to mitigate legal risk, particularly around benchmarking exercises and secondment agreements.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with Matthew, Rachel, or Fiona.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

Following our part one episode on Labour’s approach to financial services, Head of Public Policy David Gauke is joined once again by Financial Services Regulation Partners Alexandra Green and Michael Sholem to reflect on the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech and the announcement of the Leeds Reforms.

They cover:

• proposed changes to the Financial Ombudsman Service, including a 10-year time limit for complaints and revised interest rates;
• updates to the Consumer Duty and continued support for targeted support initiatives;
• potential reforms to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR);
• long-term asset funds (LTAFs) becoming ISA-eligible from April 2026; and
• The Government’s ambition to make the UK the leading global hub for financial services by 2035.

While the reforms are not on the scale of a regulatory “Big Bang”, they reflect a shift in tone – with a stronger focus on growth, risk appetite and international competitiveness. The direction is evolutionary rather than radical, but the breadth of reform is significant.

Listen to part one of this discussion for our earlier reflections on Labour’s approach to financial services.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of our Policy in practice podcast, Head of Public Policy David Gauke is joined by Financial Services Regulation Partners, Alexandra Green and Michael Sholem to reflect on the Labour government’s approach to financial services, just over a year since taking office.

They cover:

• the Treasury’s focus on growth and the FCA’s response to its revised remit;
• proposed reforms to redress, retail advice and the Consumer Duty;
• anticipated Mansion House announcements, particularly on overseas market access and senior manager approvals; and
• developments in capital markets, regulatory reporting and bank ring-fencing.

They highlight that while financial services remain central to the government’s economic strategy, the pace and scope of reform are still evolving. Uncertainty around implementation and risk appetite may affect the longer-term impact of the growth agenda.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Alexandra or Michael.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

 In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcast, Head of Public Policy David Gauke is joined by Pensions Partner Faye Jarvis and Investment Management Partner Lora Froud to discuss how private capital managers can access UK pension fund investors following the Mansion House Accord and the new Pension Schemes Bill. 

They cover:

• the commitment made by 17 of the UK's largest pension funds to invest 10% of their defined contribution default funds in private markets by 2030, with half being invested in the UK, and reactions from the pensions and investment sectors;
• key regulatory, operational and cultural barriers, including the charge cap and permitted links; and 
• key measures introduced in the new Pension Schemes Bill and the Government’s ongoing drive to consolidate the defined contribution pension market. 

 They highlight that private capital managers should be closely monitoring these developments as they open up new sources of capital, although greater understanding between the pensions industry and private capital industry will be required to facilitate change. 

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Faye or Lora.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of the policy in practice podcast, David Gauke, Brian Spiro, and Helen Harvey discuss the introduction of the new corporate offence for failing to prevent fraud. 

They cover: 

• the purpose and legal background of the new offence;
• what kind of organisations are affected and how liability is determined; 
• the proactive measures businesses must implement to ensure compliance; and 
• enforcement implications. 

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Brian or Helen. 

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of the policy in practice podcast, David Gauke, Malcolm Hitching, and James Popperwell discuss litigation funding in England and Wales, including the impact of legal rulings, the ongoing Civil Justice Council (CJC) review, and whether or not further regulation might be needed to preserve access to justice while protecting consumers.

They cover:

• the impact of the PACCAR ruling on litigation funding agreements;
• the CJC's review of the litigation funding sector in England and Wales; and
• whether or not further regulation might provide relevant protections for consumers.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Malcolm or James.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcast, David Gauke, Rhiannon Kinghall Were, and Bezhan Salehy discuss President Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the OECD global tax deal, the implications for Pillars 1 and 2, and the potential for future negotiations.

They cover:

• the background and details of the OECD global tax deal;
• the US’ objections to Pillar 1 and Pillar 2;
• digital services taxes (DSTs); and
• political, fiscal and practical implications, including the likelihood of retaliatory measures and the impact on global trade and tax policy.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Rhiannon or Bezhan. 

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke, Rachel Richardson, and Praveen Gopalan discuss COP 29 (November 2024), recent developments in sustainable finance and ESG, and the future of COP, including COP 30’s potential focus on biodiversity.

They cover:

• COP 29 – expectations vs. outcomes and targets;
• how businesses will be affected in the UK;
• the politicisation of ESG initiatives;
• current hot topics in ESG; and
• the future of COP and sustainable finance.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Rachel or Praveen.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of our podcast, Matthew Ramsey is joined by Isobel Lewis to talk about money: when wages are payable, when employers can withhold salary, and what happens when employees are suspended from work.

They cover:

• the “wage-work bargain” and its significance in defining employment relationships;
• legal principles governing wage deductions under the Employment Rights Act; and
• complex scenarios where employees are unable to work due to external circumstances, such as suspensions or criminal trials, with references to the recent well-publicised litigation between Benjamin Mendy and Manchester City FC.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with Matthew and Isobel. 

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke, Eloise Illingworth, and Tom Weekes, KC at Landmark Chambers discuss fetters to housebuilding from private property law in the form of restrictive covenants as well as easements, such as rights of way and rights of light.

They cover:

• what restrictive covenants and easements are;
• the impact that restrictive covenants and easements have on property development;
• how rights of light are acquired and their effect; and
• how the law might be reformed in order to facilitate housebuilding.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David or Eloise.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.