Found: Letter from the Secretary of State relating to the Employments Rights Bill, 15 September 2025 Correspondence

Found: In March 2025, the Business and Trade Committee published a report on the Employment Rights Bill, in

Found: 10 December, 17 December, 7 January and 14 January while attending meetings of the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Pending clarification on detailed questions, we support many of the provisions in the Renters’ Rights Bill

Found: There is a great opportunity with the Employment Rights Bill, which is a UK reserved matter.

Found: There is a great opportunity with the Employment Rights Bill, which is a UK reserved matter.

Found: There is a great opportunity with the Employment Rights Bill, which is a UK reserved matter.

Found: There is a great opportunity with the Employment Rights Bill, which is a UK reserved matter.

Found: Committee asked the Government to respond to those recommendations pertaining to the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Committee asked the Government to respond to those recommendations pertaining to the Employment Rights Bill

Found: We are also very pleased to see better security of tenure under the Renters’ Rights Bill, which will

Found: me pivoting away from DEFRA for a moment, that is why I am so hugely supportive of the Workers’ Rights Bill

Found: Letter to the Secretary of State relating to the Employment Rights Bill, 8 September 2025 Correspondence

Found: establishing the adult social care Fair Pay Agreement, currently being introduced through the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Executive summary  We welcome the Renters’ Rights Bill but are concerned about the large enforcement

Found: Does the Renters’ Rights Bill go far enough to address poor housing conditions in the private rented

Found: the Decent Homes Standard, its extension to the private rented sector, Awaab’s Law, the Renters’ Rights Bill

Found: Lots of assertions are made about national insurance increases or concerns about the Employment Rights Bill

Found: operators) with the Seafarers Wages and Working Conditions Act (as amended by the Employment Rights Bill

Found: informed the House of Commons on 27 June 2023 that the UK would not be proceeding with the Bill of Rights Bill

Found: Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the Employment Rights Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help support landlords to ensure their properties comply with the Decent Homes Standard.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

It is imperative that homes are decent, safe and warm. The current Decent Homes Standard (DHS) plays a key role in setting a minimum quality standard that all social homes should meet.

The primary source of funding to support landlords in meeting the DHS and to manage the repair and maintenance of existing social homes is rental income. This amounted to £24.5bn in 2023/24.

From April 2026, social housing rents will be permitted to increase by CPI+1% annually as part of a new 10-year rent settlement announced at the Spending Review. In addition, we completed a focused consultation on how we will implement social rent convergence, ahead of a final decision to be announced at Autumn Budget.

Social housing landlords are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory consumer standards, which includes the DHS, set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). The RSH proactively seeks assurances that registered providers are meeting the outcomes of the consumer standards through routine inspections of large landlords (those with more than 1,000 homes).

The government is extending the DHS to apply to the private rented sector for the first time through the Renters’ Rights Bill. Alongside its introduction to the private rented sector, the government recently consulted on a modernised DHS for private and social rent homes. The consultation closed on 12 September 2025. My Department is now considering the responses to that consultation, and we will set out our response in due course focused on ensuring that the new DHS is proportionate and deliverable.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of (a) trends in the level of houses in multiple occupation and (b) the potential impact of those trends on local communities.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) can play an important part in the housing market, providing relatively low-cost accommodation for rent.

Local planning authorities already have powers to limit the proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) through ‘Article 4’ directions.

In addition to the mandatory licensing of large HMOs, local areas can also choose to require smaller HMOs to be licenced to ensure such properties are safe and well managed, and that the character of local communities are protected.

Local authorities have robust powers to ensure landlords of HMOs comply with all relevant regulations. This includes powers to issue civil penalties, prosecute landlords and obtain banning orders.

No recent assessments of the trends in the level of HMOs, or of the potential impacts of these trends on local communities, have been made.

The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces reforms to improve the regulation of private rented sector properties, including HMOs, and drive-up standards within the sector. This includes a Decent Homes Standard and new enforcement powers for local authorities.

My Department will continue to engage with local authorities on a range of local issues, including matters relating to HMOs and we will keep the regulation of HMOs under review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 14 of the policy paper entitled 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, if he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on his plans for the NHS workforce.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Employment Rights Bill is the first stage of Make Work Pay, which is a core part of the mission to grow the economy, raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all. The approach is designed to help more people to stay in work, support workers’ productivity and improve living standards. Once implemented, the Bill will represent the biggest upgrade in employment rights for a generation. The measures contained in the Bill support the 10-Year Health Plan’s ambition to make the National Health Service the country’s best employer.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of potential impact of the Renter's Rights Bill on the supply of private rented housing for people from each (a) income group and (b) geographic region.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government published an Impact Assessment for the Renters' Rights Bill on 22 November 2024. It received a 'Green' rating from the Regulatory Policy Committee, indicating that it is 'fit for purpose'.

While we acknowledge that it will take time for the sector to adjust to a significant change in regulation, we do not believe that our Renters’ Rights Bill will have a harmful impact on future rental supply.

Although landlords have been aware of successive governments’ plans to reform the private rented sector since 2019, the size of the sector as a whole has remained broadly stable since 2013-14.

The Bill will make sure good landlords have the confidence they need to continue to invest and operate in the sector. We will continue to work with good landlords and their representative associations throughout implementation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Renters’ Rights Bill on levels of private rented housing availability.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government published an Impact Assessment for the Renters' Rights Bill on 22 November 2024. It received a 'Green' rating from the Regulatory Policy Committee, indicating that it is 'fit for purpose'.

While we acknowledge that it will take time for the sector to adjust to a significant change in regulation, we do not believe that our Renters’ Rights Bill will have a harmful impact on future rental supply.

Although landlords have been aware of successive governments’ plans to reform the private rented sector since 2019, the size of the sector as a whole has remained broadly stable since 2013-14.

The Bill will make sure good landlords have the confidence they need to continue to invest and operate in the sector. We will continue to work with good landlords and their representative associations throughout implementation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the quality of student accommodation.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is improving the quality of student accommodation by overhauling the regulation of the private rented sector through the Renters’ Rights Bill.

The Bill will provide tenants, including students, with greater security and stability and empower them to challenge bad practice. This change will help increase flexibility and prevent students in the private rented sector from being trapped paying rent for substandard properties – assured periodic tenancies will incentivise timely repairs and better standards.

For purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), only providers signed up to approved government codes will be exempt from the assured system. Quality in private PBSA is safeguarded through government-approved codes of practice, administered by ANUK/UNIPOL, which set rigorous standards for safety, maintenance, and student wellbeing.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in relation to paragraph 24 of Schedule 1 to the Renters' Rights Bill, whether the protection for tenants from enforcement of rent arrears in respect of delayed universal credit payments apply only in respect of the first universal credit payment; and if so, whether this is consistent with the wording of the Bill which does not state it is limited.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Renters’ Rights Bill will introduce new protections for tenants who temporarily fall into rent arrears, supporting both parties by preventing tenancies which are otherwise viable from ending. We will protect tenants from eviction if their arrears are due to the timing of a relevant welfare payment. Tenants will not face mandatory eviction under Ground 8 if they breach the three months arrears threshold because they have not yet received a Universal Credit payment for housing costs which they have been assessed as entitled to.

As Universal Credit is assessed every month, the protection period will apply in any period between the end of an assessment period and the relevant Universal Credit payment, which can usually be up to five days.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of abolishing fixed-term assured tenancies in England on the housing market.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government published an Impact Assessment for the Renters' Rights Bill on 22 November 2024. It received a 'Green' rating from the Regulatory Policy Committee, indicating that it is 'fit for purpose'.

My Department has also engaged with a wide range of stakeholders during the development and passage of the Bill, and will continue to do so, as it is implemented.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Renter's Rights Bill on the number of court-adjudicated evictions.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department is working closely with the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunal Service to ensure that the county courts are ready for the implementation of the Renters' Rights Bill. This includes an ongoing assessment of any additional burdens on the justice system arising from the Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of the Renters Rights Bill on the number of renters who will not be able to request a pet.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters’ Rights Bill will give all private rented sector tenants the right to request a pet, which landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the abolition of fixed term tenancies on the security of tenure for rental properties for those who needed to be in an area for a fixed period.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters’ Rights Bill will ensure that tenants enjoy greater security of tenure. The introduction of a new tenancy system based on periodic tenancies will ensure tenants have the flexibility to stay in a property for as long as they need to. Tenants will need to provide two months’ notice when leaving a tenancy. Landlords will only be able to evict a tenant in reasonable circumstances as set out in this legislation.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of the day-one right to not be unfairly dismissed on employment tribunal caseloads.

Answered by Lord Leong - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Employment Rights Bill Impact Assessments were published in October 2024 and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments. This analysis includes an assessment of the potential impact of the day-one right to not be unfairly dismissed on employment tribunal caseloads.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish their funding plan to ensure that employment tribunals are adequately resources to manage the impact of the Employment Rights Bill.

Answered by Lord Leong - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We recognise the Employment Tribunal system needs appropriate resourcing. The Lord Chancellor has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient funding for an efficient and effective Employment Tribunal. This is done via negotiation with the senior judiciary via the Concordat process.

For the financial year 2025/26, the Government has committed funding to support 33,900 sitting days for Employment Tribunals, which is at maximum judicial capacity. Funding for future years will be subject to future Concordat processes.

We are working to ensure that existing spend on Acas, tribunals, and state enforcement is used in an efficient way.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to improve the enforcement of legal protections for women returning to work after maternity leave.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Women returning from maternity, adoption, or six continuous weeks of shared parental or neonatal leave are entitled to enhanced redundancy protection. However, the government is strengthening legal protections, as we know this group continues to face a particular risk to their job security.

We'll make it unlawful to dismiss pregnant women, mothers on maternity leave, and mothers returning to work for a six-month period - except in specific circumstances. This starts with the Employment Rights Bill, with protections in force from 2027. From April 2026, the Fair Work Agency will strengthen the enforcement of rights, with women expected to particularly benefit.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to coordinate the new Fair Work Agency with the Health and Safety Executive to enforce better-fit PPE standards.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We are creating the Fair Work Agency to deliver a much-needed upgrade to enforcement of employment rights.

Its core function will be to enforce specific employment legislation, set out in Part 1 of Schedule 7 of the Employment Rights Bill.

We have taken steps to ensure the Fair Work Agency can work closely with the Health and Safety Executive, including sharing information that is relevant to the Health and Safety Executive’s statutory role. This is provided for by Schedule 9 of the Employment Rights Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she has taken to ensure that there is sufficient capacity for tribunals to handle any increased caseload following the Renters' Rights Bill going into force.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service is undertaking a significant programme of work in preparation for an increased caseload in the tribunal following commencement of the Renters’ Right Bill. This includes streamlining case handling processes and establishing a centralised operational hub; ensuring the availability of suitable estates capacity for hearings; delivering critical improvements to the existing technology systems to increase resilience and support increased workloads; and recruitment of additional administrative staff. Plans are also in train to recruit additional judicial office holders.

The Government has concluded that there is a sound case for an alternative body or mechanism to make initial determinations on rent challenge cases in the future. This would relieve some demand from the tribunals. The Government intends to establish such a body or mechanism, subject to completing a full viability assessment. Further details of this will be confirmed in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has made an assessment ​of the potential impact of the Renters' Rights Bill on levels of capacity in (a) the civil courts and (b) tribunals.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice (including its executive agency His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service) is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to assess the potential impact of the Renter’s Rights Bill on the justice system, to ensure that there is sufficient resource in the civil courts and tribunals to respond to demand.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking with Acas under the new Resolve and Manage priorities in its 2025–30 strategy to help support victims of harassment and discrimination following the planned introduction of the ban on non-disclosure agreements.

Answered by Justin Madders

Clause 24 of the Government’s Employment Rights Bill will void any agreement, such as a contract of employment or settlement agreement, between a worker and their employer that prevents a worker from speaking out about relevant harassment or discrimination. These agreements are often referred to as non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

The Government will work with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) on updates to its guidance on NDAs to ensure that workers and employers understand the changes to the law when they come into force.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking with Acas under the Prevent strand of its 2025–30 strategy to ensure that employers do not issue non-disclosure agreements in cases of (a) harassment and (b) discrimination.

Answered by Justin Madders

Clause 24 of the Government’s Employment Rights Bill will void any agreement, such as a contract of employment or settlement agreement, between a worker and their employer that prevents a worker from speaking out about relevant harassment or discrimination. These agreements are often referred to as non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

The Government will work with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) on updates to its guidance on NDAs to ensure that workers and employers understand the changes to the law when they come into force.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is is taking to increase awareness among workers of their proposed new rights under Clause 22A of the Employment Rights Bill.

Answered by Justin Madders

The Government will work with organisations such as the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service on updates to their guidance on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), also known as confidentiality clauses, to ensure that workers and employers understand the changes to the law in relation to NDAs that are introduced through the Employment Rights Bill. The Government will also liaise with employer groups, the legal industry and unions about updates to their guidance and information on NDAs.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether guidance will be issued for (a) employees and (b) legal advisers on interpreting confidentiality clauses under the new regime under Clause 22A of the Employment Rights Bill.

Answered by Justin Madders

The Government will work with organisations such as the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service on updates to their guidance on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), also known as confidentiality clauses, to ensure that workers and employers understand the changes to the law in relation to NDAs that are introduced through the Employment Rights Bill. The Government will also liaise with employer groups, the legal industry and unions about updates to their guidance and information on NDAs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she plans to respond to the open letter from Young Women's Trust entitled For the Employment Rights Bill to work for young women and their employers, the Spending Review must increase funding for enforcement of their rights, dated 22 May 2025.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has responded to the open letter from the Young Women’s Trust, as the department responsible for delivering the Employment Rights Bill.

At SR 2025, DBT were funded to support the establishment of the Fair Work Agency (FWA), which will tackle low pay, poor working conditions and poor job security. The government is committed to ensuring the FWA is fully resourced to deliver on its remit, with funding allocated to cover both transition and operational costs through to 2028-29. This includes the transfer of existing budgets from enforcement bodies such as the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, as well as funding for National Minimum Wage enforcement.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen protections for whistle-blowers.

Answered by Justin Madders

A worker who ‘blows the whistle’ (known as making a ‘protected disclosure’) on certain types of wrongdoing is entitled to protections under the Employment Rights Act 1996 from detriment or dismissal as a result of blowing the whistle, and a route to redress through Employment Tribunals if those protections are infringed.

The Government’s Employment Rights Bill will strengthen protections for whistleblowers, by making it explicit that sexual harassment can be the basis for a protected disclosure. This will mean an employee making a protected disclosure about sexual harassment will be entitled to protection from being subjected to detriment or being dismissed by their employer for speaking out.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support carers who are in part-time work.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Government keeps all aspects of Carer’s Allowance under review to see if it is meeting its objectives. It is not means-tested but is subject to a weekly earnings limit. This was increased by a record amount in April 2025, which will benefit at least 60,000 unpaid carers between 2025/26 and 2029/30. The Government is also considering the possibility of introducing an earnings taper in the longer term.

Many carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance and doing some work will also be receiving Universal Credit. For those receiving Universal Credit, the 55% taper rate and any applicable work allowance will help to ensure that people are better off in work.

Supporting carers who want to work alongside managing their caring responsibilities is an important element of our plans to modernise the world of work, ensuring that there are good jobs for carers, and a skilled workforce for employers.

The Carer’s Leave Act 2023, taken forward by the Department for Business and Trade, gave employees a right to time off to care for someone who is disabled or has a long-term health condition for the first time. We are reviewing implementation of Carer’s Leave and looking at where any improvements may be needed. This will include, but is not limited to, examining the benefits of paid leave, while being mindful of the impacts on businesses.

The Employment Rights Bill includes provisions which will support all employees to achieve a better work life balance, including changes that will make it more likely that flexible working requests are accepted. This stands to make a particular difference to people combining work with unpaid care.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has held with the (a) Welsh and (b) Scottish governments on the potential impact of the establishment of School Support Staff Negotiating Body on (i) recruitment and (ii) retention in border areas.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell

Education is a devolved matter, and the application of the School Support Staff Negotiating Body provisions in the Employment Rights Bill is therefore for state-funded schools in England only.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what (a) published and (b) unpublished research her Department has considered as part of its preparation for establishing the School Support Staff Negotiating Body; and what the titles are of each piece of research.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell

This government values and recognises the professionalism of the entire school workforce, which is why the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) is being established through the Employment Rights Bill.

To inform the establishment and operation of the SSSNB, the department has commissioned new and detailed research into the role and value of school support staff. The research was conducted by Ipsos and findings are expected to be published by around late 2025 and early 2026. The government also included a call for evidence on pay and conditions for school support staff as part of its consultation on setting up the SSSNB, which closed on 18 July, with findings expected to be published in the autumn.

Beyond this, departmental officials regularly review published research and evidence on school support staff, including statistical publications such as the School Workforce Census, survey data, and the Education Endowment Foundation’s publications on teaching assistants.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) transparency and (b) awareness of health support in workplaces.

Answered by Justin Madders

To support health in the workplace, the landmark Employment Rights Bill will boost access to Statutory Sick Pay and make it more likely that flexible working requests are accepted. We have published our Plan for Small Businesses, which provides positive and practical support to small and medium size businesses and employers across the UK.

In recognition of employers’ vital role in workplace health, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have commissioned the Keep Britain Working independent review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, who is expected to produce a final report with recommendations in autumn 2025.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to incentivise businesses to support the health of their workforce.

Answered by Justin Madders

To support health in the workplace, the landmark Employment Rights Bill will boost access to Statutory Sick Pay and make it more likely that flexible working requests are accepted. We have published our Plan for Small Businesses, which provides positive and practical support to small and medium size businesses and employers across the UK.

In recognition of employers’ vital role in workplace health, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have commissioned the Keep Britain Working independent review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, who is expected to produce a final report with recommendations in autumn 2025.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the cost to the civil service of the requirement in the Employment Rights Bill to provide (a) additional facility time to trade unions and (b) facility time for equality representatives.

Answered by Justin Madders

In October 2024 the government published impact assessments on the trade union-related measures within the Employment Rights Bill and these are available here: Employment Rights Bill: impact assessments - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Factsheet: The Fair Work Agency, whether the agency will be specifically mandated to uphold the rights of young women in the workplace.

Answered by Justin Madders

Women and young people are less likely to get the employment rights they are entitled to than the general population. The creation of the Fair Work Agency will deliver a generational upgrade to enforcement of workers’ rights, and young women particularly stand to benefit.

Its core function will be to enforce specific employment legislation set out in Part 1 of Schedule 7 of the Employment Rights Bill. The Government has worked closely with a variety of stakeholders as it has developed the Bill, and we are committed to continuing this.

The Secretary of State has discretion to appoint individuals as independent experts to the Fair Work Agency’s Advisory Board, if the Secretary of State considers them to have relevant expertise. This could include appointing individuals with expertise in relation to young women’s experience of the labour market.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether young women will be represented on the Advisory Board for the Fair Work Agency.

Answered by Justin Madders

Women and young people are less likely to get the employment rights they are entitled to than the general population. The creation of the Fair Work Agency will deliver a generational upgrade to enforcement of workers’ rights, and young women particularly stand to benefit.

Its core function will be to enforce specific employment legislation set out in Part 1 of Schedule 7 of the Employment Rights Bill. The Government has worked closely with a variety of stakeholders as it has developed the Bill, and we are committed to continuing this.

The Secretary of State has discretion to appoint individuals as independent experts to the Fair Work Agency’s Advisory Board, if the Secretary of State considers them to have relevant expertise. This could include appointing individuals with expertise in relation to young women’s experience of the labour market.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps he has taken to support working families in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire through the parental leave system.

Answered by Justin Madders

Through the Employment Rights Bill the Government will ensure that Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave are ‘day one’ rights, removing continuity of service requirements for employees.

In the Plan to Make Work Pay the Government committed to a review of the parental leave system. This review was launched on 1 July and will explore how the system can better support working families and reflect the realities of modern work and childcare. All current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements will be in scope.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will include further consultation on the scope of the Fair Work Agency in the roadmap for delivering the Employment Rights Bill.

Answered by Justin Madders

Women and young people are less likely to get the employment rights they are entitled to than the general population. The creation of the Fair Work Agency will deliver a generational upgrade to enforcement of workers’ rights, and young women particularly stand to benefit.

Its core function will be to enforce specific employment legislation set out in Part 1 of Schedule 7 of the Employment Rights Bill. The Government has worked closely with a variety of stakeholders as it has developed the Bill, and we are committed to continuing this.

The Secretary of State has discretion to appoint individuals as independent experts to the Fair Work Agency’s Advisory Board, if the Secretary of State considers them to have relevant expertise. This could include appointing individuals with expertise in relation to young women’s experience of the labour market.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure SMEs can access (a) robust and (b) high-quality mental health training for staff.

Answered by Justin Madders

To support health in the workplace, the landmark Employment Rights Bill will boost access to Statutory Sick Pay and make it more likely that flexible working requests are accepted. We have published our Plan for Small Businesses, which provides positive and practical support to small and medium size businesses and employers across the UK.

In recognition of employers’ vital role in workplace health, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have commissioned the Keep Britain Working independent review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, who is expected to produce a final report with recommendations in autumn 2025.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the number of retail jobs.

Answered by Justin Madders

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This is available at: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments and provides analysis of the potential sectoral impacts of the Bill, including the retail sector.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to help tackle the backlog of possession proceedings in court (a) in advance and (b) on implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The most recent published statistics show the median time from claim to order falls within the Civil Procedure Rules stipulation that possession claims should be listed within 4 to 8 weeks. HMCTS is making improvements to bailiff recruitment and retention practices to ensure staffing resources are available to enforce judgments made by the County Courts in those cases where it is subsequently needed.

The Ministry of Justice is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure the justice system is fully prepared for the implementation of the Renters Rights’ Bill.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to (a) promote respect in workplaces across the UK and (b) support people who have been the victims of bullying at work.

Answered by Justin Madders

The Government is promoting fairness, equality and wellbeing in the workplace through a range of measures in its Employment Rights Bill. For example, the Bill would require employers to take "all reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment of their employees and strengthen protections for whistleblowers by making it explicit that sexual harassment can be the basis for a protected disclosure. While there is no legal definition of 'bullying' in the UK, a range of existing laws protect workers from unwanted behaviour in the workplace. The Government supports these protections by providing guidance for workers, businesses, and funding the Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service (Acas).

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on levels of regional employment.

Answered by Justin Madders

My department has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the labour market in (a) rural and (b) coastal communities.

Answered by Justin Madders

My department has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the number of young people not in education, employment or training.

Answered by Justin Madders

My department has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the caseload of Jobcentre Plus offices.

Answered by Justin Madders

My department has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has conducted a sectoral analysis of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on employment levels.

Answered by Justin Madders

My department has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to support women’s economic empowerment.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

This government is breaking down barriers to opportunity for working people, driving up household income for everyone. A 5% increase in female employment could boost the UK economy by up to £125 billion every year; which is why women’s economic empowerment is so crucial.

Through the Employment Rights Bill, we are setting out the first steps towards requiring employers to publish action plans alongside their gender pay gap figures; detailing the steps they are taking to narrow their gap and support employees during the menopause. We have already launched practical guidance to help employers to narrow their pay gap.

A number of other measures in the Bill will also support women’s economic empowerment; by increasing access to flexible working; improving protections for pregnant women and new mothers; and, strengthening protections against workplace sexual harassment.

We understand that the barriers women may face are diverse, whether it be access to investment to start or grow a business, to being able to receive timely healthcare in order to remain in work. This government recognises the varied challenges women face, and is committed to removing them.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that local authorities have adequate resource capacity to enforce the Renters' Rights Bill.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 32068 on 5 March 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to issue guidance to local authorities on when they should accept that there is a housing duty after the abolition of Section 21 notices.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Following Royal Assent of the Renters’ Rights Bill, the government will make any necessary amendments to the Homelessness Code of Guidance.

Ahead of these changes, we will engage closely with local authorities and other relevant stakeholders to help them prepare for the Bill’s implementation.

Found: Employment Rights Bill 2024-25: Lords stages and amendments

Found: Renters' Rights Bill 2024-25: Consideration of Lords amendments

Found: Employment Rights Bill COMMONS AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENTS, DISAGREEMENTS, AMENDMENTS IN LIEU AND AMENDMENT

Found: Lords Amendments: Monday 15 September 2025 Employment Rights Bill (Motions relating to Lords Amendments

Found: MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS Employment Rights Bill Committee to draw up Reasons for disagreeing to

Found: MONDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2025 EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BILL Consideration of Lords Amendments Grouping

Found: Lords Amendments: Friday 12 September 2025 Employment Rights Bill (Motions relating to Lords Amendments

Found: Employment Rights Bill 2024-25: Lords stages and amendments

Found: Renters' Rights Bill MOTION TO BE MOVED ON CONSIDERATION OF COMMONS REASONS AND AMENDMENTS [The page

Found: Renters' Rights Bill MOTION TO BE MOVED ON CONSIDERATION OF COMMONS REASONS AND AMENDMENTS [The page

Found: Lords Amendments: Wednesday 10 September 2025 Employment Rights Bill (Motions relating to Lords Amendments

Found: Bill 301 - EN 59/1 EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BILL EXP LANATORY NOTES ON LORDS AMENDMENTS 1.

Found: Renters’ Rights Bill COMMONS DISAGREEMENT, REASONS AND AMENDMENTS IN LIEU [The page and line references

Found: Lords Amendments: Monday 8 September 2025 Renters' Rights Bill (Motions relating to Lords Amendments

Found: MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2025 RENTERS’ RIGHTS BILL Consideration of Lords Amendments Grouping of Lords

Found: MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS Renters’ Rights Bill Committee to draw up Reasons for disagreeing to Lords

Found: MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2025 RENTERS’ RIGHTS BILL Consideration of Lords Amendments Grouping of Lords

Found: Lords Amendments: Friday 5 September 2025 Renters' Rights Bill (Motions relating to Lords Amendments

Found: Commons LONDON SW1A 0AA 4 September 2025 Dear Tom Motion on Legislative Consent: Employment Rights Bill

Found: avid.mcgill@parliament.scot 19 February 2025 Dear Tom Le gislative Consent Motion: Renters’ Rights Bill

Found: 22 May 2025 Dear Simon and Tom, The Renters’ Rights Bill – Legislative Consent I am writing

Found: Employment Rights Bill LORDS AMENDMENTS [The page and line references are to HL Bill 81, the Bill as

Found: Lords Amendments: Wednesday 3 September 2025 Renters' Rights Bill (Motions relating to Lords Amendments

Found: The extension of the rule of law into the realm of precarious employment by the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Employment Rights Bill returns to the Commons, marking another step towards transformation of workers

Found: government must hold up to ours, and cement good, secure jobs in legislation, through the Employment Rights Bill

Found: f Within the first 100 days of the new government, we introduced the Employment Rights Bill, covering

Found: f W ithin the first 100 days of the new government, we introduced the Employment Rights Bill, covering

Found: • Within the first 100 days of the new government, we introduced the Employment Rights Bill, covering

Found: The  Employment Rights Bill will improve parity for women in the workplace, including through the introduction

Found: Through my Employment Rights Bill people across the country will receive the biggest uplift in workers

Found: from Baroness Jones of Whitchurch to Lord Leigh of Hurley regarding the effects of the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Occupational Classification (SOC), as discussed during the Report stage (fourth day) of the Employment Rights Bill

Found: regarding Employment Tribunals, as discussed during the Report stage (fourth day) of the Employment Rights Bill

Found: legislation within devolved competence in four LCMs— • The Tobacco and Vapes Bill • Employment Rights Bill

Found: _____________5 Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2024-2025____________________________________________5 Human Rights Bill

Found: Session 6) 4Legislative Consent Memorandum Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) for the Renters’ Rights Bill

Found: A breakdown is provided below: LCMs • Renters Rights Bill • Product Regulation and Metrology Bill • Tobacco

Found: considered three Legislative Consent Memorandums (LCMs)— • Data (Use and Access) Bill • Employment Rights Bill

Found: Report on the Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Employment Rights Bill A report on the Economy and

Found: Legislative Consent Memorandum: delegated powers exercisable within devolved competence in the Employment Rights Bill

Found: . • Ask Minister to come to CPG and talk about the groups concerns on LDAN, Human Rights Bill and

Found: However, we welcome the UKG Employment Rights Bill (ERB), as part of its wider Make Work Pay programme

Found: Correspondence regarding the Human Rights Bill not being in the Programme for Government 2024/25: FOI

Found: Correspondence regarding the Human Rights Bill not being in the Programme for Government 2024/25: FOI

Found: Protecting the Powers of the Scottish Parliament Followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Renters’ Rights Bill

Found: Summary – A Human Rights Bill for Scotland: Discussion Paper

Found: Summary – A Human Rights Bill for Scotland: Discussion Paper

Found: (in line with eligibility considerations currently taking place with regards to the Employment Rights Bill

Found: The minister spoke about the upcoming Employment Rights Bill and its progress.

Found: convention into Scots law within the limits of devolved competence by bringing forward a Human Rights Bill

Found: • As SG have delayed the Human Rights bill and Stigma Action Plan, I’m not sure this would be seen

Found: • As SG have delayed the Human Rights bill and Stigma Action Plan, I’m not sure this would be seen

Found: • Implementation of Sectoral bargaining as laid out in Scotland (not as per the Employee rights Bill

Found: Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 • Equality Impact Assessment • Human Rights Bill

Found: Human Rights 14/05/2025 Meeting/Video Conference Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Human Rights Bill

Found: which includes plans to publish a Bill Policy Product consolidating current proposals on the Human Rights Bill

Found: Human Rights Bill for Scotland documents that relate to the right for food: FOI release

Found: Human Rights Bill for Scotland documents that relate to the right for food: FOI release

Found: Human Rights Bill for Scotland documents that relate to the right for food: FOI release

Found: Human Rights Bill for Scotland documents that relate to the right for food: FOI release

Found: collaboratively with the UK Government on its Make Work Pay agenda, including the Employment Rights Bill

Found: ◼ The right to a healthy environment has been included in the development of a Scottish Human Rights Bill

Found: .39 The right to a healthy environment has been included in the development of a Scottish Human Rights Bill

Found: vision, some respondents emphasised their support for the Scottish Government’s planned Human Rights Bill

Found: A Human Rights Bill for Scotland: Discussion Paper

Found: A report about the Scottish Government's plans for the Human Rights Bill: Easy Read version

Found: A Human Rights Bill for Scotland: Discussion Paper

Found: A report about the Scottish Government's plans for the Human Rights Bill: Easy Read version

Found: Outcome 5 Outcome 6 Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership - A fresh start A Human Rights Bill

Found: It was outlined that by March 2026, we aim to have further developed the proposed Human Rights Bill with

Found: proposals to strengthen the role of the Scottish Human Rights Commission through a future Human Rights Bill

Found: Planned engagement on Scotland’s future Human Rights Bill will ensure that intersectional experiences

Found: Statement on Gender Policy Coherence 41 In October 2024 the UK Government introduced the UK Employment Rights Bill

Found: UK Government in relation to its plans for a New Deal for Working People through the Employment Rights Bill

Found: However, we welcome the UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill and the positive step that the UK Government

Found: Taskforce, and early actions including the Fair Repayment Rate in Universal Credit and Employment Rights Bill

Found: Quarters’ offices to help monitor the policy. 4 As at April 2025, The UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill

Found: activities the Scottish Government is undertaking to advance development of the proposed Human Rights Bill

Found: practice to advance human rights now, laying the groundwork for new duties in the future via a Human Rights Bill

Found: Rights: Summary Delivery Plan Descriptor Engage with stakeholders on ongoing development of Human Rights Bill

Found: make via the Human Rights Bill.The first two amendments that we are planning to make via the Human Rights Bill

Found: However, we welcome the UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill and the positive step that the UK Government

Found: A Human Rights Bill for Scotland: Consultation 10.

Found: commitments include legislating to criminalise misogynistic conduct and the introduction of a Human Rights Bill

Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support any social care workers on low pay, in light of reported evidence stating that there is a link between the level of pay for people working in social care and child poverty.

Answered by Arthur, Tom - Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing

The Scottish Government has a long-standing commitment to support social care workers rates of pay. For the 2025-26 financial year, the Scottish Government are investing £125 million to enable adult social care workers, delivering direct care in the third and private sectors, to be paid at least the Real Living Wage. This takes the estimated total investment to deliver this policy up to £950 million this financial year.

This policy is to enable the Real Living Wage to be paid to these workers as a minimum, and employers and commissioners have the locus to set rates in excess of this where local circumstances allow.

In addition, the Scottish Government is committed to establish voluntary sectoral bargaining arrangements for the commissioned adult social care sector in Scotland and we have been working with stakeholder partners, through the Fair Work in Social Care Group, to progress this. We have also been engaging with the UK Government on their Employment Rights Bill, which we hope will extend the scope for the option of a regulatory Social Care Negotiating Body, and associated Fair Pay Agreements, to Scotland.

Once developed and introduced, sectoral bargaining arrangements will encourage improvements in pay, and terms and conditions for the social care workforce.

We know that there are a number of factors which can compound the relationship between work and poverty, including in sectors such as social care. That is why we are taking action to tackle child poverty and make a real difference to families. On average, households with children in the poorest 10% of households are estimated to be £2,600 a year better off in 2025-26 as a result of Scottish Government policies like the Scottish Child Payment. This value is projected to grow to an average of £3,700 a year by 2029-30.

We are also taking decisive action to end the impact of the two-child limit in Scotland. Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary legislation, the new Two Child Limit Payment will open for applications on 2 March 2026, with payments beginning as soon as possible thereafter. Worth up to more than £3,500 a year for each eligible child, these payments will make a significant difference to larger families who are currently denied support, and Scottish Government modelling published in March estimates this will result in 20,000 fewer children living in relative poverty in 2026-27.

While the Joseph Rowntree Foundation predict child poverty will rise in other parts of the UK by 2029, they highlight that policies such as our Scottish Child Payment, and our commitment to mitigate the two-child limit, are behind Scotland bucking the trend.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35303 by Gillian Martin on 12 March 2025, what consideration it has given to the (a) application and (b) enforcement of the national minimum wage on (i) Inch Cape and (ii) other offshore wind farms leased by Crown Estate Scotland with the UK Government.

Answered by Martin, Gillian - Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy

As stated in the answer to S6W-35303, employment legislation is reserved to the UK Parliament and there have been no discussions to date specifically on enforcement of the national minimum wage for Inch Cape or other offshore wind farms. As long as employment legislation remains reserved, the Scottish Government will continue to use our Fair Work policy to drive up labour market standards for workers across the Scottish labour market, including in the offshore wind sector. We welcome the UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill and continue to work closely with them to ensure its positive application, whilst being clear that the best way to protect Scotland’s workers is to devolve employment law.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35303 by Gillian Martin on 12 March 2025, what assessment it has made of the current provisions in the UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill and the employment rights of (a) offshore energy workers and (b) seafarers in Scotland.

Answered by Martin, Gillian - Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy

The Scottish Government has no duty to conduct an assessment of the impact of the UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill with regard to offshore energy workers or seafarers or any other sector, but we welcome the Bill and continue to work with the UK Government to ensure it has a positive impact across Scotland. The Scottish Government supports the strengthening of fair work and workers’ rights and will continue to use our Fair Work policy to drive up labour market standards for workers across the Scottish labour market, whilst advocating for devolution of employment law to best protect Scotland’s workers.

Found: 2025 Bill title Date memorandum lodged Consent recommendation by Scottish Government Employment Rights Bill

Found: Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill Consent recommended 31 October 2024 Consent granted Renters' Rights Bill

Found: with the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill (now the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill) and Human Rights Bill

Found: consider and report on the Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (No.3) on the Employment Rights Bill

Found: The Welsh Government’s Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Employment Rights Bill Welsh Government

Found: Constitution Committee to consider and report on the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Employment Rights Bill

Found: 1 SUPPLEMENTARY LEGISLATIVE CONSENT MEMORANDUM (MEMORANDUM NO 4) EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS BILL 1.

Found: consider and report on the Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (No.4) on the Employment Rights Bill

Found: example, our reports on: The Welsh Government’s Legislative Consent Memoranda on the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Constitution Committee to consider and report on the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Government’s Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 3) on the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Government’s Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 3) on the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Government’s Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 3) on the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Government’s Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 4) on the Employment Rights Bill

Found: and Social Care Committee Report on Legislative Consent Memorandum No. 3 for the Employment Rights Bill

Found: WG response to HSC report on Employment Rights Bill

Found: The Welsh Government’s Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Empoyment Rights Bill - Response to the

Found: We note that the UK Employment Rights Bill includes provisions to allow for the establishment of a Social

Question

When will the Welsh Government respond in writing to the Local Government and Housing Committee’s reports on the LCM and SLCM for the Renters’ Rights Bill?

Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government

The Local Government and Housing Committee did not request responses to the two reports. The content of both reports was however considered as part of the overall legislative consent process.

The recommendation relating to pets has been addressed in our proposed approach to people renting with pets outlined in the Summary of Responses to the White Paper on securing a path towards Adequate Housing, including Fair Rents and Affordability.

Question

What is the Cabinet Secretary's latest assessment of the possible impact of the UK Government's Renters' Rights Bill on governance and individual rights in Wales?

Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government

The few provisions in the Bill which directly affect Wales remain those to which the Senedd agreed to give legislative consent on 20 May 2025.

The anti-discrimination provisions will greatly enhance the rights of all tenants in receipt of benefits and those with children.