Bridget Phillipson, the UK Education Secretary, has strongly reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to deliver the Employment Rights Bill in its entirety, dismissing fears that recent ministerial changes could lead to the dilution of this landmark legislation. Speaking at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) conference, Phillipson emphasised that the Bill—aimed at significantly strengthening workers’ rights—would not be watered down during its final parliamentary stages. She declared, “No ifs, no buts – forward. Let’s change this country together,” signalling a clear intention to proceed with the Bill as initially promised.

The Employment Rights Bill has attracted widespread attention as one of the most significant reforms in decades, aiming to ban zero-hours contracts, end the practice of “fire and rehire,” and provide sick pay from the first day of employment. It was championed by former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and former employment rights minister Justin Madders, both recently departed from their roles. Their exit sparked speculation among unions and industry watchers that some of the Bill’s key provisions might be weakened or removed. However, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has reassured MPs that the legislation’s core substance and timeline remain unchanged, despite the reshuffle.

Union leaders have been vocal in urging the Government not to retreat on these reforms. Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC, welcomed Phillipson’s assurances and called for the Bill to be delivered “in full,” reflecting both union and public expectations. He highlighted that stronger workers’ protections are broadly popular and necessary to modernise employment law, which currently often fails to protect workers adequately in a changing economy. Nowak described the Bill’s aims as common-sense changes that can end exploitative practices and criticised the existing status quo as “broken.”

Nevertheless, some union voices have expressed frustration and concern about the government’s track record. Sharon Graham of Unite criticised the Bill’s current form as a “paper tiger,” warning that further legislative tweaks or dilution could undermine its impact, especially through secondary legislation. There is widespread wariness among unions that without firm political commitment, such transformational reforms risk being weakened before becoming law. Business groups, for their part, also watch closely, recognising that significant changes to employment protections could require adjustments in corporate practices.

Phillipson’s speech also took a political tone, contrasting Labour’s forward-looking agenda with the positions of Reform UK and its leader Nigel Farage. She criticised Farage for his stance on maternity leave and pay, arguing that Labour’s vision is one of progress on equality and workers’ rights, while Reform UK would represent a backward step to the 1950s. This framing underscored Labour’s broader aspiration to shape the UK’s future with a focus on fairness and modernisation, touching on education reforms with an extension of regional support teams aimed at raising school standards.

The TUC leadership remains critical of the pace of change since Labour’s election, with Nowak warning that the promised improvements in jobs, public services, and living standards must materialise to maintain public support. He has previously accused Sir Keir Starmer’s government of making change feel like “a slogan, not a reality,” signalling ongoing pressure on Labour to convert commitments into tangible outcomes.

The proposed Employment Rights Bill is part of a broader "New Deal for Working People," which also includes raising the minimum wage and enhancing protections against unfair dismissal. Advocates argue these measures could improve worker security and contribute to increased productivity and economic growth. Nowak described this agenda as a potential "gamechanger" for the UK’s economy after years of stagnation and real-terms pay decline under the previous Conservative government.

In parallel, the TUC has maintained a critical stance on other government labour policies, such as the controversial Strikes Bill. Nowak has accused the government of undermining workers’ rights further and plans to challenge the legislation at the International Labour Organisation for breaching international legal standards. This reflects deep-rooted tensions around labour rights within the current political landscape.

Overall, Bridget Phillipson’s reaffirmation of the Government’s commitment to the Employment Rights Bill carries significant weight amid political upheaval and union scepticism. How Labour manages to navigate between delivering on these promises and responding to pressures from various stakeholders will be closely watched as the Bill progresses through Parliament in the coming months.

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Source: Noah Wire Services