US EditionEmployment Rights Bill clears last parliamentary hurdle
The bill restores union rights, introduces day-one sick pay and paternity leave, bans zero-hours contracts, and expands protections, with a six-month qualifying period for unfair dismissal, unions say.
- This week, Labour's Employment Rights Bill cleared its final parliamentary stage after peers ended a House of Lords battle, with royal assent expected by Thursday and the law set before Christmas.
- Labour framed the package as fulfilling its election promise to workers, delivering day-one sick pay and broader protections but abandoning day-one unfair dismissal for a six-month qualifying period negotiated with peers.
- Parliamentary defeats and compromises shaped the bill's final form, with Lord Sharpe withdrawing his amendment after a short debate and an 11th-hour move scrapping the compensation cap on unfair dismissal.
- Trade unions praised the outcome and pressed for rapid enactment, while business groups including the British Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses and Conservative Party figures warned the bill could depress hiring as UK unemployment rose beyond 5 per cent.
- Most provisions still need secondary legislation before taking effect, so government ministers and trade unions urge full, swift implementation across England, Scotland and Wales, excluding Northern Ireland.
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Business Matters
yourcapitalminds.comEmployment Rights Bill clears final parliamentary hurdle and set to become law
Labour’s flagship Employment Rights Bill has cleared its final parliamentary hurdle and is set to become law before Christmas, marking the most significant expansion of workers’ rights in a generation. The legislation passed its final stage in the House of Lords after Conservative peer Lord Sharpe, the shadow business and trade minister, withdrew a last-minute amendment during parliamentary “ping pong”. The move removed the final obstacle to the…
Employment Rights Bill will become law - as Tories vow to repeal it
The controversial Employment Rights Bill will become law after legislation cleared Parliament on Tuesday afternoon. After weeks of the Bill ping-ponging from the House of Lords to the Commons over controversial ‘day one’ rights, the government agreed earlier this month to drop its pledge of ‘day one’ rights in exchange for certain protections kicking in after six months. This comes after six industry groups wrote a joint letter to Business Secre…
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