Employment rights reforms return to Commons

The government’s landmark employment rights reforms have moved closer to becoming law as the Employment Rights Bill returns to the House of Commons.

The changes set out in the Employment Rights Bill include establishing day one rights to parental and bereavement leave, extending sick pay for up to 1.3 million of the lowest earners, and ending fire and rehire practices.  

The Bill’s return to the House of Commons will overturn amendments tabled in the House of Lords which would have weakened protections against unfair dismissal, and limited the scope of a ban on exploitative zero hours contracts. The return to the Commons also follows extensive engagement with trade unions and businesses, with further consultation to continue as the Bill progresses through Parliament.

The changes are set to benefit fifteen million people, representing half of all UK workers.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“This Government is delivering the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.

“Our Employment Rights Bill is good for workers, good for businesses and good for the economy.

“It’s a core part of our agenda to make people better off and will make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: 

“We are relentlessly focused on making people feel better off and putting more money into their pockets. Giving workers more security in the workplace is good for the economy. It promotes prosperity, enabling people to be more active consumers and exercise more control over their lives. 

“Businesses have been consulted every step of the way and will continue to be. We are focused on building an economy with a new social partnership – workers, businesses and government fixing the foundations and that starts with security at work.”