The Prime Minister of the UK, Keir Starmer, confirmed a new agreement in May with the European Union which will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, back British jobs and put more money in people’ s pockets. As part of the deal, a new SPS agreement will make it easier for food and drink to be imported and exported by reducing the red tape that placed burdens on businesses and led to lengthy lorry queues at the border. This agreement will have no time limit.

The Government of New Zealand has made changes to the Equal Pay Act through the Equal Pay Amendment Act, including a better process to raise and resolve claims of sex-based undervaluation in the pay of female-dominated work when a pay equity claim is made. The process will ensure parties can more confidently assess whether there is sex-based undervaluation in the pay of femaledominated work. While these changes will mean all current pay equity claims will be discontinued, new claims can be raised under the amended act if they meet the new requirements. Review clauses in existing settlements will become unenforceable.

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