Cross-party committee backs Employment Rights Bill as legislation set to return to parliament - TUC
TUC says “Britain’s low-pay low rights economic model has been tested to destruction”
The Business and Trade select committee has today (Monday) published its recommendations in response to the Government’s Employment Rights Bill – giving the legislation its broad support.
The cross-party committee’s report comes as the Bill is set to return to parliament in the coming weeks for Report stage.
Commenting on the report, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:
“The Employment Rights Bill is good for workers, business and the wider economy.
“These common sense reforms will bring us closer to the European mainstream on workers’ rights and stop good employers from being undercut by the bad.
“That’s why this cross-party committee has given the legislation its backing. They recognise workers need greater protections.
“Banning exploitative zero-hours contracts, delivering sick pay for all and protecting workers from unfair dismissal will give millions the security and dignity they deserve.
“Britain’s low pay, low rights economic model has been tested to destruction over the past 14 years with a boom in insecure work, declining living standards and stagnant growth.
“We cannot continue with the same broken status quo. It’s time to make work pay.”
Paul added:
“We welcome the call for the government’s new Fair Work Agency to have the powers and resources it needs to stop good employers from being undercut by the bad.
“And we are pleased MPs recognise the importance of swiftly reforming worker status – to stop unscrupulous employers from exploiting loopholes.”
Strong public support
Polling published by TUC and Hope not Hate in February revealed huge support across the country and across the political spectrum for the Employment Rights Bill flagship polices.
The mega poll of 20,000 voters showed:
Banning zero hours contracts by giving workers a contract that reflects their regular hours: More than 7 in 10 (72%) of UK voters support a ban on zero hours contracts – including 2 in 3 Reform (65%) and Conservative (63%) voters from the 2024 general election support banning zero hours contracts. The figure is even higher with those saying they would vote Conservative (65%) and Reform (67%) if there was a general election held tomorrow. Just 15% oppose the policy.
Giving all workers statutory sick pay from day one: 3 in 4 (74%) voters support giving all workers the right to statutory sick pay, and ensuring it is paid from the first day – including 2 in 3 Reform (64%) and Conservative (62%) voters from the 2024 general election. The figure is even higher with those saying they would vote Conservative (65%) and Reform (66%) if there was a general election held tomorrow. Just 14 % oppose the policy,
Giving all workers protection from unfair dismissal from day one: 3 in 4 (73%) voters support giving all workers protection from unfair dismissal from the first day in the job - including 2 in 3 Reform (62%) and Conservative (62%) voters from the 2024 general election. The figure is even higher with those saying they would vote Conservative (65%) and Reform (64%) if there was a general election held tomorrow. Just 14% oppose the policy.
Making it easier for people to have flexibility in their patterns or hours of work: 3 in 4 (74%) voters support making it easier to work flexibly – including 2 in 3 Reform (63%) and Conservative (64%) voters from the 2024 general election. The figure is even higher with those saying they would vote Conservative (67%) and Reform (65%) if there was a general election held tomorrow. Just 12% oppose the policy.
- About the TUC: The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.
Contacts:
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