A 45,000-person poll just blew a hole in Reform’s argument that British workers want fewer rights
A new poll of more than 45,000 Brits has delivered a sharp rebuke to Reform UK’s plans to scrap key workers’ rights introduced under Labour’s Employment Rights Act 2025.
The survey, conducted online by Hope Not Hate through Focaldata between August and September 2025 and weighted using multi-level regression and post-stratification (MRP) techniques, projects strong backing across every Westminster constituency in the UK for core elements of Labour’s “Make Work Pay” agenda.
These include banning exploitative zero-hours contracts in favour of a right to guaranteed hours, ending fire-and-rehire practices, introducing statutory sick pay from day one of illness, and raising the minimum wage toward a genuine living wage.
National-level support hovered around 78% for restricting zero-hours contracts, 83% for banning fire and rehire, 76% for day-one sick pay, and similarly high figures for a higher minimum wage, according to the Trade Union Congress (TUC), which commissioned and released the findings on Tuesday (31 March).
Strong support in Reform heartlands
The data is particularly striking in seats held by Reform MPs. In Clacton, represented by party leader Nigel Farage, support stood at 77% for guaranteed hours, 81% for ending fire and rehire, 66% for day-one sick pay, and 86% for a higher minimum wage.
In Ashfield (Lee Anderson), the figures were 79%, 86%, 77%, and 88%, respectively. Similar majorities appeared in other Reform constituencies, such as Boston and Skegness (Richard Tice) and South Basildon and East Thurrock.
Even among those who voted for Reform in 2024 or who say they would do so today, the poll indicated substantial backing for stronger protections, undercutting the party’s narrative that its deregulatory stance reflects the desires of “British workers” frustrated by red tape.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak seized on the results, accusing Reform of pursuing an “anti-worker agenda” that prioritises “vested interests and wealthy corporate backers” over ordinary people.
“Reform’s so-called Great Repeal Bill would steal away vital rights and protections,” Nowak said. “Nigel Farage wants to strip working people of essentials like day-one sick pay and a fairer minimum wage.
“At the same time, he’d give bad bosses free rein to exploit staff by keeping practices like zero-hours contracts and fire-and-rehire firmly in place. This is massively out of step with the British public, who believe everyone deserves basic security and dignity at work.”
Reform’s “Great Repeal Bill”
Reform UK has pledged a “Great Repeal Bill” that would axe Labour’s Employment Rights Act, passed in December 2025, along with the Renters’ Rights Act and elements of the Equality Act.
The party argues that such regulations impose excessive burdens on businesses, discourage hiring, raise costs, and contribute to economic stagnation at a time when the UK faces productivity challenges and a cost-of-living squeeze.
Deputy leader Richard Tice has described the measures as “daft” rules that need sweeping away to unleash growth.
Critics, including unions, counter that insecure work remains a pressing issue, with over 1.2 million people on zero-hours contracts and more than one in eight workers in insecure employment.
They say the new rights bring UK protections closer to European norms without crippling flexible labour markets.
