WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols has hailed the Government’s Employment Rights Bill as major progress for the rights of working people across Warrington and Cheshire.
Earlier this month the Government tabled amendments to the Employment Rights Bill after consultation from business groups, trade unions and wider civil society. The amendments demonstrate the Government’s commitment to working in partnership with businesses and trade unions to ensure the plan to Make Work Pay is firmly pro-worker and pro-business.
The landmark Employment Rights Bill will tackle poor working conditions, benefit businesses and workers alike as the Government strives to make work pay and bring tangible improvements to the lives of working people across Warrington and the nation.
The Bill will support a number of family-friendly rights by improving flexibility and security. It will include measures to make existing entitlements to paternity leave and unpaid paternal leave available from day one of employment. It will also introduce new protections against dismissal for pregnant women, mothers on maternity leave, and mothers who return to work for a period of six months after they return.
In addition to protections for workers against discrimination, it will end exploitative zero-hours contracts, end unscrupulous ‘fire and rehire’ and ‘fire and replace’ practices by considering dismissals for failing to agree a change in contract as unfair, except where businesses genuinely have no alternative.
Ms Nichols said “The Government’s plan to Make Work Pay is key to Prime Ministers mission to raise living standards, grow the economy and create opportunities for people across the United Kingdom. The Employment Rights Bill will among other things, strengthen workers’ rights by providing basic rights at work from day one of employment, strengthen statutory sick pay to ensure the safety net is there for all who need it the most and tackle exploitative zero hours contracts by allowing workers to access a contract that reflects the hours they regularly work while retaining flexibility for employers in how they manage their workforce”.
Representatives from the world of business have also commented on the Government’s Employment Rights Bill and the amendments tabled.
Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chamber of Commerce said “Employers will be relieved to see some amendments, at what is clearly a milestone moment for Government. It has consulted business – and this is reflected in some of the decisions on the future shape of the legislation. There is much here to welcome as sensible moves that will help ensure that employment works for both the business and the individual, including the nine-month statutory probation period and the promise of a light touch approach, as well as simplifying rules on collective consultation.
But businesses remain cautious, and it is important to continue ensuring the Bill strikes the right balance. Employers will look forward to hearing, engaging with and shaping further detail. The government must continue its positive approach to engagement with firms and remain open to changes. Doing so will ensure this legislation is proportionate, affordable, and right for both firms and their employees”.
It is expected that most reforms in the Bill will take effect from 2026. Where more time is needed for businesses to prepare for change, this will be taken into consideration.
