Angela Rayner has called upon Members of Parliament to stay resolute as she champions the progression of Labour’s Employment Rights Bill through its final stages in Parliament.
Her intervention follows the government’s recent decision to step back from a pledge originally included in the bill giving workers the right to protection against unfair dismissal “from day one” and instead require a six-month qualifying period.
Rayner’s comments, made during a Commons debate on Monday, come amid mounting pressure to deliver on pre-election promises on workplace rights and to resolve ongoing deadlock between the Commons and the Lords.
Background to the Employment Rights Bill
The Employment Rights Bill was introduced as a flagship measure by Labour shortly after forming the government, fulfilling a key manifesto promise to enhance workplace protections.
The original version of the bill sought to extend rights such as parental leave, statutory sick pay, and unfair dismissal protection from the first day of employment a significant shift from previous rules. Angela Rayner, who announced the bill as deputy prime minister, argued the legislation would represent a historic strengthening of worker protection.
After stepping down from her ministerial posts following a tax issue, she has continued to support the bill from the back benches.
Parliamentary Challenges and Delays
Despite government backing, the bill has faced repeated hurdles in the House of Lords, with peers returning it to the Commons for further consideration several times a process informally known as “ping pong”.
Some Labour MPs have reportedly expressed anger at delays, especially after a key provision for immediate unfair dismissal protections was dropped. The government, responding to legislative impasses, amended the bill to allow workers to claim unfair dismissal after six months of employment.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle described the decision as a necessary adjustment to ensure the bill’s passage.
Political Reactions to Key Changes
Rayner stated in Parliament that the legislation’s passage would mark a “historic achievement” and insisted, “now is not the time to blink or buckle”. She pressed her colleagues to deliver on Labour’s commitments to the electorate.
Former Labour business minister Justin Madders acknowledged disappointment at the altered timeline but welcomed efforts to overcome parliamentary gridlock. He remarked that the Lords “cannot keep coming back because they don’t like what is in this bill”, emphasising the need to honour promises made to voters.
On the opposition benches, Conservative shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith accused Rayner of dictating the government’s approach. Griffith further criticised Business Minister Kate Dearden, suggesting the measures could harm job prospects for young people.
The Bill’s Central Provisions and Changes
The legislation sets out significant enhancements to employment rights, with its most notable features including expanded statutory sick pay and increased parental leave rights.
However, the withdrawal of immediate unfair dismissal protection has become a focal point of debate, with some backbench MPs and opposition figures asserting that the change was introduced too late in the process. Sarah Olney, business spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats, described the modification of compensation rules for unfair dismissal as having been “snuck in at the last minute”.
The bill remains positioned as pro-worker and pro-business, with the government arguing it will foster a fairer and more competitive labour market.
Future Steps and Government Position
The government has reiterated its commitment to seeing the Employment Rights Bill through Parliament, aiming to deliver what it calls the “biggest strengthening of workers’ rights in a generation”.
Downing Street stated it was pleased to have found a way forward and would “continue to engage closely with unions and businesses” as the implementation process unfolds. A spokesperson for the prime minister said, “this bill is pro-worker, it is pro-business, it is pro-growth, it is about creating a more modern working environment and it is the biggest strengthening of workers’ rights in a generation and the government is fully committed to delivering it”.
Final Summary
The Employment Rights Bill remains at the heart of Labour’s legislative agenda as it continues to move through Parliament amid intense scrutiny and debate. With key provisions amended to break legislative deadlock, the government and its supporters are aiming to secure support from both the Commons and the Lords.
Rayner’s insistence that now is the time “to deliver” reflects the sense of urgency attached to these promises for improved worker protections. As the bill proceeds, it highlights the complexities of balancing robust employment rights with economic considerations in a competitive labour market.
The outcome will have meaningful consequences for employers and employees nationwide. For updates on employment legislation and related tax implications, users can consult the Pie app for the latest guidance and analysis.
