Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004
2004 c. 11An Act to make provision for the licensing of activities involving the supply or use of workers in connection with agricultural work, the gathering of wild creatures and wild plants, the harvesting of fish from fish farms, and certain processing and packaging; and for connected purposes.
Enacted[8th July 2004]
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority¶
I11 The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority¶
I22 Directions etc by the Secretary of State¶
Scope of Act¶
I33 Work to which this Act applies¶
I44 Acting as a gangmaster¶
I55 Territorial scope of application¶
Licensing¶
6 Prohibition of unlicensed activities¶
I327 Grant of licence¶
- section 20(2) (body corporate);
- section 21(2) (unincorporated association);
- section 22(4) (partnership that is regarded as a legal person under the law of the country or territory under which it is formed).
I338 General power F33... to make rules¶
I349 Modification, revocation or transfer of licence¶
I710 Appeals¶
I5511 Register of licences¶
Offences¶
I53I6412 Offences: acting as a gangmaster, being in possession of false documents etc¶
13 Offences: entering into arrangements with gangmasters¶
I51C114 Offences: supplementary provisions¶
.
Enforcement¶
I3515 Enforcement and compliance officers¶
I3616 Powers of officers¶
- “relevant premises” means any premises which an officer acting for the purposes of this Act has reasonable cause to believe to be—
- premises at which a person mentioned in subsection (5)(a) or (b) carries on business, and
- premises which such a person uses in connection with his business,
- “premises” includes any place and, in particular, includes—
- any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or hovercraft, and
- any tent or movable structure.
I3717 Entry by warrant¶
I3818 Obstruction of officers¶
I3919 Information relating to gangmasters¶
Supplementary¶
I4020 Application of Act to bodies corporate¶
I2921 Application of Act to unincorporated associations¶
- section 33 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 (c. 86) and Schedule 3 to the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43),
- sections 70 and 143 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995,
- section 18 of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945 (c. 15 (N.I.)) and Schedule 4 to the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/ 1675 (N.I. 26)).
I3022 Application of Act to partnerships¶
- section 33 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 (c. 86) and Schedule 3 to the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43),
- sections 70 and 143 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995,
- section 18 of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945 (c. 15 (N.I.)) and Schedule 4 to the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/ 1675 (N.I. 26)).
Miscellaneous and general¶
22A Relationship with other agencies: requests for assistance¶
I4123 Annual report¶
The Secretary of State shall each year lay a report before each House of Parliament on the operation of this Act.I4224 Financial provision¶
I825 Regulations, rules and orders¶
I926 Meaning of “worker”¶
I52I6327 Exclusion of provisions relating to employment agencies and businesses¶
I10I31I5428 Application of Act to Northern Ireland¶
The provisions of Schedule 2 to this Act have effect with respect to the application of this Act to Northern Ireland.29 Commencement and transitional provision¶
I1130 Short title and extent¶
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1 ¶
The Authority: consequential amendments of enactments
Section 1
Public Records Act 1958¶
Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967¶
Superannuation Act 1972¶
House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975¶
Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975¶
Freedom of Information Act 2000¶
SCHEDULE 2 ¶
Application of Act to Northern Ireland
Section 28
Introduction¶
General¶
Section 1: The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority¶
Section 2: Directions etc. by the Secretary of State¶
Section 3: Work to which this Act applies¶
Section 6: Prohibition of unlicensed activities¶
Section 7: Grant of licences¶
Section 8: General power of Authority to make rules¶
Section 10: Appeals¶
Section 11: Register of licences¶
Section 13: Offences: entering into arrangements with gangmasters¶
Section 14: Offences: supplementary provisions¶
Section 15: Enforcement and compliance officers¶
Section 17: Entry by warrant¶
Section 19: Information relating to gangmasters¶
Section 22A: Relationship with other agencies: requests for assistance¶
Section 23: Annual report¶
Section 24: Financial provision¶
Section 25: Regulations, rules and orders¶
Section 27: Exclusion of provisions relating to employment agencies and businesses¶
Section 29: Commencement and transitional provision¶
Footnotes
- I1S. 1 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(a)
- I2S. 2 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(b)
- I3S. 3 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(c)
- I4S. 4 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(d)
- I5S. 5 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(e)
- I6S. 6(2) in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(f)
- I7S. 10 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(g)
- I8S. 25 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857 , art. 2(h)
- I9S. 26 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(i)
- I10S. 28 in force at 1.12.2004 for specified purposes by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(j)
- I11S. 30 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(k)
- I12Sch. 1 para. 1 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(l)
- I13Sch. 1 para. 2 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(l)
- I14Sch. 1 para. 3 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(l)
- I15Sch. 1 para. 4 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(l)
- I16Sch. 1 para. 5 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(l)
- I17Sch. 1 para. 6 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(l)
- I18Sch. 2 para. 1 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(m)
- I19Sch. 2 para. 2 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(m)
- I20Sch. 2 para. 3 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(m)
- I21Sch. 2 para. 4 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(m)
- I22Sch. 2 para. 5 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(m)
- I23Sch. 2 para. 6 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(m)
- I24Sch. 2 para. 7 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(m)
- I25Sch. 2 para. 8 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(m)
- I26Sch. 2 para. 11 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(m)
- I27Sch. 2 para. 19 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(m)
- I28Sch. 2 para. 21 in force at 1.12.2004 by S.I. 2004/2857, art. 2(m)
- I29S. 21 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(j)
- I30S. 22 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(k)
- I31S. 28 in force at 1.4.2005 for specified purposes by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(n)
- I32S. 7 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(a)
- I33S. 8 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(b)
- I34S. 9 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(c)
- I35S. 15 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(d)
- I36S. 16 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(e)
- I37S. 17 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(f)
- I38S. 18 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(g)
- I39S. 19 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(h)
- I40S. 20 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(i)
- I41S. 23 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(l)
- I42S. 24 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(m)
- I43Sch. 2 para. 9 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(o)
- I44Sch. 2 para. 10 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(o)
- I45Sch. 2 para. 15 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(o)
- I46Sch. 2 para. 16 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(o)
- I47Sch. 2 para. 17 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(o)
- I48Sch. 2 para. 18 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(o)
- F1Words in s. 14(1) substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 7 para. 62(a); S.I. 2005/3495, art. 2(1)(m)
- F2Words in Sch. 2 para. 14 substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 7 para. 62(b); S.I. 2005/3495, art. 2(1)(m)
- I49S. 6(1) in force at 1.10.2006 for specified purposes by S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(a)
- I50S. 13(3) in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(d)
- I51S. 14 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(e)
- I52S. 27 in force at 1.10.2006 for specified purposes by S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(f)
- I53S. 12 in force at 1.10.2006 for specified purposes by S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(c)
- I54S. 28 in force at 1.10.2006 for specified purposes by S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(g)
- I55S. 11 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(b)
- I56Sch. 2 para. 14 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(h)
- I57Sch. 2 para. 20 in force at 1.10.2006 for specified purposes by S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(i)
- I58Sch. 2 para. 12 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(h)
- I59Sch. 2 para. 13 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(h)
- I60S. 13(1)(2)(4) in force at 1.12.2006 for specified purposes by S.I. 2006/2906, art. 2
- F3Words in Sch. 2 para. 14 substituted (N.I.) (1.3.2007) by The Police and Criminal Evidence (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/288), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 38
- I61S. 6(1) in force at 6.4.2007 for specified purposes by S.I. 2007/695, art. 2(a)
- I62S. 13(1)(2)(4) in force at 6.4.2007 for specified purposes by S.I. 2007/695, art. 2(c)
- I63S. 27 in force at 6.4.2007 for specified purposes by S.I. 2007/695, art. 2(d)
- I64S. 12 in force at 6.4.2007 for specified purposes by S.I. 2007/695, art. 2(b)
- I65Sch. 2 para. 20 in force at 6.4.2007 for specified purposes by S.I. 2007/695, art. 2(e)
- C1S. 14 modified (E.W.N.I.) (1.10.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 6 para. 50 (with Sch. 13 para. 5); S.I. 2008/2504, art. 2(a)
- F4S. 22A inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), ss. 13(2), 94(1); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(b)
- F5Sch. 2 paras. 16A, 16B and cross-headings inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 24(6); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F6Words in Sch. 2 para. 3 cross-heading substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 24(2); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F7Words in s. 1 heading substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 15(a); Sch. 3 para. 14;S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F8S. 1(3A) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 15(c); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F9S. 1(1) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 15(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F10S. 14(2A) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 19; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F11S. 15(6A) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 20; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F12S. 16(A1) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 21; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F13S. 17(A1) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 22; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F14Words in s. 18(1)(a) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), ss. 12(2), 94(1); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(b)
- F15S. 19(1A)(1B) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 23(3); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F16Words in s. 19(1) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 23(2)(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F17S. 19(1)(a)(aa) substituted for s. 19(1)(a) (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 23(2)(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F18Words in s. 19(2) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 23(4)(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F19Words in s. 19(2) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 23(4)(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F20Words in s. 2(2) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 16; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F21Word in s. 25(5)(a) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19) , ss. 13(3)(a) , 94(1) ; S.I. 2016/603 , reg. 3(b)
- F22S. 25(5)(c) and preceding word inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19) , ss. 13(3)(b) , 94(1) ; S.I. 2016/603 , reg. 3(b)
- F23S. 3(6) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 17(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F24Words in s. 3(5)(b) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 17(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F25S. 8(3) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 18(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F26Sch. 2 para. 10(2)(3) substituted for Sch. 2 para. 10(2) (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 24(5); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F27Word in Sch. 2 para. 6 inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 24(3)(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F28Sch. 2 para. 6(b) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 24(3)(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F29Sch. 2 para. 7(b) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 24(4); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F30Words in s. 1 cross-heading substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 14; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)
- F31Words in s. 12(3) substituted (28.4.2022) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 33) and Sentencing Act 2020 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/500), regs. 1(2), 5(1), Sch. Pt. 1
- F32Words in s. 12(3) substituted (E.W.) (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1 table
- F33Words in s. 8 heading omitted (6.1.2026 for specified purposes) by virtue of Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 10 para. 30(2) (with s. 147 Sch. 11); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(39)(b)
- F34Words in s. 8(1) substituted (6.1.2026 for specified purposes) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 10 para. 30(3)(a) (with s. 147 Sch. 11); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(39)(b)
- F35Words in s. 8(1) substituted (6.1.2026 for specified purposes) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 10 para. 30(3)(b) (with s. 147 Sch. 11); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(39)(b)
- F36Words in s. 10(1) substituted (6.1.2026 for specified purposes) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 10 para. 32 (with s. 147 Sch. 11); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(39)(c)
- F37Sch. 2 para. 11 substituted (6.1.2026 for specified purposes) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 10 para. 45(6) (with s. 147 Sch. 11); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(39)(c)