Government to move forward with new rules for UK workers

The Government has confirmed that it will move forward with its planned Employment Rights Bill and prevent any attempts to water down its provisions.

The Bill, which returns to the House of Commons today, includes several key worker reforms, including day one rights to parental leave, ending exploitative zero-hours contracts, and strengthening statutory sick pay.

The government said it will overturn amendments tabled by the Lords, which would have weakened the Bill, and that it will aim to push through the legislation as is.

The government estimates that some 15 million people, half of all workers, are set to benefit from the Bill, which will establish day one rights to parental and bereavement leave, include sick pay for up to 1.3 million of the lowest earners, and end unscrupulous fire and rehire practices.

These reforms will put an end to insecure work, unfair pay and poor working conditions, putting more money in people’s pockets and improving living standards, it said.

It added that strong workers’ rights go hand in hand with a strong economy, and this landmark Bill will extend the employment protections already given by the best British companies, creating the right conditions for long-term sustainable growth.

“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,” said Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle.

“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.”

The Bill’s return to the Commons follows extensive engagement with business and trade unions to ensure that the legislation is firmly pro-business and pro-worker, and that businesses have the certainty they need to plan for the future. This will continue as the Bill progresses through Parliament, Kyle said.

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