Consult and Deliver: Shaping the Future of UK Employment Rights

November 15, 2025March 23, 2026 admin Legislation, Reforms, Unions

The landmark Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is set to transform the UK workplace, and the Government is now moving to the crucial implementation phase. To ensure these reforms are both practical and effective, a first series of four consultations has been launched, inviting stakeholders to help shape the final regulations.

While the Bill establishes the core principles, the consultations will define the details. A central theme is enhancing security and support for employees during life's most vulnerable moments. This includes significantly stronger protections for pregnant employees and new mothers, who will benefit from an expanded protected period and the classification of maternity as a protected characteristic. The consultation explores applying a stricter test for fairness, potentially making dismissal permissible only in cases of serious safety risks or gross misconduct. There is also consideration of extending these robust protections to parents returning from adoption leave.

Employment Rights Bill: Commons Rejects Lords Amendments in Workers’ Rights Battle

September 21, 2025March 23, 2026 admin Legislation, Reforms

Earlier this week, the Employment Rights Bill returned to the House of Commons for MPs to review Lords amendments, in the stage known as parliamentary “ping-pong.”

Peers had previously introduced a series of non-government amendments that sought to weaken the Bill, removing core reforms such as the ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts and restrictions on the controversial practice of fire and rehire. If successful, these changes would also have undermined new protections around unfair dismissal.

Biggest Reforms Since the 1970s

September 13, 2025March 24, 2026 admin Legislation, Reforms

The Labour Party, founded 125 years ago to defend the rights of workers, is now on the verge of delivering one of the most significant reforms to UK employment law since the 1970s.

In its 2024 election campaign, Labour pledged to reverse decades of Conservative restrictions on workers’ rights and trade union freedoms. That promise is now close to being fulfilled through the Employment Rights Bill, first launched by Angela Rayner in October. After approval by the House of Commons in March, the bill has now passed its third reading in the House of Lords following 13 hours of debate.

Although some amendments remain, the government insists the bill will deliver the most sweeping upgrade to workers’ protections in half a century.

Are Reforms Really Coming?

September 9, 2025March 23, 2026 admin Legislation, Reforms

The leader of the UK’s largest trade union has warned the government that watering down the Employment Rights Bill would be a “huge mistake” for workers.

Christina McAnea, General Secretary of Unison, said she is deeply concerned that the government may no longer be committed to delivering the full package of promised workers’ rights reforms. Her warning follows the departure of Angela Rayner and a major cabinet reshuffle, which saw key ministers supportive of the bill moved or replaced. Other trade unions have echoed these concerns.

The Employment Rights Bill—expected to become law in the coming weeks—represents one of the most significant changes to employment law in decades. Proposals include stronger protection from unfair dismissal, a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts, and new rights for flexible working.