What Mandatory Compliance Training Do Employees Need in the UK in 2026?

Heading into 2026, compliance training remains essential for UK businesses, but knowing exactly which courses are legally required can be confusing. This guide covers the core compliance courses that apply to nearly every workplace, sector-specific training for regulated industries, and practical ways to make training stick.

Why Is Compliance Training Mandatory for UK Employees?

Under UK law, employers must ensure staff can work safely and understand their responsibilities. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to provide information, instruction, and training to employees. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 reinforces this through risk assessments and training requirements.

Key regulators include the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which enforces workplace safety law, and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which oversees data protection. According to the HSE, non-compliance fines totalled £35.8 million in 2021/22, with average court fines around £150,000. Sector bodies like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Care Quality Commission (CQC) set additional standards for regulated industries.

Core Compliance Courses for UK Employees

While requirements vary by industry, certain topics apply across most UK workplaces. If you're looking for comprehensive compliance training solutions , these are the essentials your programme should cover.

Why is GDPR and Data Protection training essential for all staff?

Under UK GDPR, businesses must implement measures to protect personal data. The ICO identifies staff training as a key safeguard, not just best practice. With 27% of data breaches caused by human error, the ICO expects all-staff training programmes covering data handling, breach reporting, and subject access requests. Organisations have been reprimanded where training completion rates were inadequate.

How does Health & Safety training reduce workplace risks?

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to provide training to all employees. This should cover safety protocols, risk assessments, emergency procedures, and equipment use. Fire safety training is specifically required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, covering evacuation procedures, alarm systems, and fire equipment locations.

Why should every employee complete Equality, Diversity & Inclusion training?

While EDI training isn't explicitly mandated, the Equality Act 2010 creates strong incentives. Employers can be vicariously liable for discriminatory acts by employees. A company has a defence if it demonstrates it took reasonable steps to prevent discrimination, including providing training. The Worker Protection Act 2023 introduced a positive duty to prevent sexual harassment, making related training increasingly important.

What about anti-bribery and cybersecurity training?

The Bribery Act 2010 creates liability for organisations that fail to prevent bribery. Ministry of Justice guidance identifies training as a key component of adequate procedures, with potential penalties including unlimited fines and up to 10 years imprisonment for individuals. Cybersecurity training overlaps with GDPR requirements, helping employees understand phishing risks, password security, and incident reporting.

Sector-Specific Compliance Training

Who needs Anti-Money Laundering (AML) training in the UK?

Under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, businesses in regulated sectors must train employees to recognise and report suspicious transactions. This covers financial services, legal practices, accountants, estate agents, and high-value dealers. The FCA requires training at least every 24 months. In November 2024, Metro Bank was fined nearly £17 million for AML monitoring failures.

When is Safeguarding training mandatory for employees?

Safeguarding training is mandatory for anyone working with children or vulnerable adults, including staff in education, healthcare, social care, and early years settings. The level depends on the role: basic awareness for all relevant staff, advanced training for designated safeguarding leads. Organisations regulated by Ofsted or CQC must meet their specific standards.

What industries require Prevent Duty and Infection Control training?

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a Prevent duty on schools, universities, local authorities, NHS bodies, and prisons. Staff must understand radicalisation risks and reporting procedures. For healthcare workers, Prevent training is typically refreshed every three years. Infection prevention and control training is mandatory for health and social care workers under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice.

Limitations of Traditional Compliance Training

Traditional compliance training, with its lengthy sessions and annual refreshers, often fails to change behaviour. Research shows people forget 80% of what they learn within 30 days without reinforcement. According to Gallup, only 10% of employees report compliance training has impacted their work practices. Long sessions create cognitive overload, and by the time content is updated, it may already be outdated.

How Microlearning Improves Compliance Training

Microlearning offers a different approach aligned with how people actually retain information. [5mins.ai compliance training] demonstrates how bite-sized content can transform training outcomes.

How does microlearning increase employee engagement?

Microlearning delivers training in 3-10 minute sessions that fit into normal workflows. Research shows it can boost retention by 50% or more compared to traditional methods, with completion rates reaching 82%. By focusing on one or two objectives per session, microlearning respects cognitive limits and creates more effective learning experiences.

Why is on-demand learning better for compliance retention?

On-demand microlearning allows employees to access training when needed. Spaced repetition, where learners revisit content at intervals, dramatically improves retention. One study found spaced reinforcement delivered 150% better retention. Microlearning can improve compliance training adherence by 30%, embedding compliance into daily work rather than forgetting it after annual sessions.

Staying Compliant in the UK Workplace

Compliance training is both a legal obligation and practical necessity. Core topics like GDPR, health and safety, equality, and fire safety apply across most workplaces, while AML, safeguarding, and Prevent duty add requirements for regulated sectors. The challenge is ensuring training changes behaviour. Microlearning offers a proven alternative that improves retention and engagement, making compliance something employees can actually engage with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which compliance courses are mandatory for all employees in the UK?

Core courses include GDPR training (UK data protection law), health and safety training (Health and Safety at Work Act 1974), fire safety training (Regulatory Reform Order 2005), and equality training (recommended under Equality Act 2010). Anti-bribery training is also recommended under the Bribery Act 2010.

Who needs Anti-Money Laundering (AML) training?

AML training is mandatory for employees in sectors regulated under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017: financial services, legal practices, accountants, estate agents, letting agents, and high-value dealers.

Are safeguarding courses mandatory for all employees?

Safeguarding training is mandatory for anyone working with children or vulnerable adults, including education, healthcare, social care, and early years staff. Level of training depends on role and responsibilities.

How often should compliance training be refreshed?

Requirements vary: the ICO recommends annual data protection refreshers, the FCA requires AML training every 24 months, and Prevent training is typically refreshed every three years. Annual refreshers are a good general practice.

Can compliance training be delivered online?

Yes, online training is widely accepted by regulators including the ICO, HSE, and sector bodies. It offers accessibility, consistent delivery, easy tracking, and quick updates when regulations change. Microlearning platforms combine online convenience with better engagement and retention.

Ready to transform your compliance training? Discover how 5Mins.ai delivers engaging, bite-sized compliance courses that your employees will actually complete. Start your free trial today.