Found: ERB0103 - Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill Trades Union Congress (TUC) Written Evidence

Found: ERB0104 - Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) Written

Found: ERB0102 - Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill British Retail Consortium Written Evidence

Found: Government’s Make Work Pay and Get Britain Working policy agendas and the passage of the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Constitution Committee to Baroness Taylor, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, regarding the Renter's Rights Bill

Found: cost of living crisis, including ending Section 21 evictions through the passage of the Renters’ Rights Bill

Found: Impact of the Autumn Budget and Employment Rights Bill 39.

Found: The announcement of the Employment Rights Bill could have a positive impact on extending family-friendly

Found: Online: www.gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave 9 See Elgot, J. (2024) ‘Labour’s employment rights bill’.

Found: The Employment Rights Bill proposes to remove this qualification and make paternity leave and shared

Found: enacting a bespoke right to Kinship Care Leave, as proposed in amendments to the current Employment Rights Bill

Found: A new day one right to paternity leave will be introduced via the Employment Rights Bill partially ending

Found: While the Employment Rights Bill will remove the qualifying period for paternity leave and unpaid parental

Found:  The 26-week eligibility criteria for Statutory Paternity and SPL, which the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Partner leave amendment tabled for the Employment Bill (available here: Amendment NC7 to Employment Rights Bill

Found: a holistic review of the parental leave and pay system in the next steps beyond the Employment Rights Bill

Found: The government’s Employment Rights Bill does not include provisions for kinship care leave; an amendment

Found: I am sure that we will get into the detail of that soon, but that covers the Employment Rights Bill,

Found: You specifically asked how we might improve the Employment Rights Bill.

Found: Q42 Antonia Bance: In the course of this inquiry and our parallel inquiry into the Employment Rights Bill

Found: NI Executive was considering the inclusion of provisions on this in a forthcoming NI Employment Rights Bill

Found: at increased risk of falling into rent arrears and could face eviction even after the Renters Rights Bill

Found: We welcome the government’s Employment Rights Bill, which will be a major step forward in this area.

Found: The flexible working rights coming through the Employment Rights Bill are very important.

Found: Commons London SW1A 0AA [By email] 23 January 2025 Dear Chair Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill

Found: Officer, Uniqlo [By email] 21 January 2024 Dear Alessandro Dudech Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill

Found: Letter from the Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets relating to 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, if she will make it her policy to introduce a moratorium on Section 21 eviction notices until Parliamentary consideration of the Renters' Reform Bill is concluded.

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

The Renters’ Rights Bill had its second reading in the House of Lords on Tuesday 4 February. The Bill delivers the government’s manifesto commitment to overhaul the regulation of the private rented sector, including by abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.

We want to see tenants benefit from these reforms as quickly as possible. We have therefore determined to introduce the new tenancy system for the private rented sector in one stage. Upon the commencement date, the new tenancy system will apply to all private tenancies – existing tenancies will become periodic, and any new tenancies will be governed by the new rules.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to restricting or banning estate agents from collecting rent commission one year in advance, in line with the proposed restriction on landlords requesting upfront rent payments as set out in the Renters' Rights Bill.

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

There are already protections in place to ensure that both tenants and landlords are treated fairly by letting agents. This includes the Tenant Fees Act 2019 which bans most letting fees and caps tenancy deposits paid by tenants in the private rented sector.

In addition, the Renters’ Rights Bill will prohibit landlords from requiring more than one month's rent in advance from tenants looking to secure a tenancy. This unfair practice can encourage prospective tenants to stretch their finances to the limit or prevent them from accessing the private rented sector altogether.

This measure does not apply to the fee structures agreed between landlords and property agents.

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 ensure councils have the resources needed to provide safe, stable housing for homeless families.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected. The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy.

Homelessness legislation is clear that all temporary accommodation must be suitable, and local authorities should keep the suitability of accommodation under review. Where an individual feels that the council has applied their statutory duties incorrectly, they can take action in the courts or bring their concerns to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services has been increased by £233 million compared to last year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total Homelessness spend to nearly £1 billion in 25/26, a record level of funding.

In addition, the £1.2 billion Local Authority Housing Fund will provide capital funding directly to English councils and is expected to provide up to 7,000 homes by 2026. It will create a lasting asset for UK nationals by building a sustainable stock of affordable housing and better-quality temporary accommodation for local communities.

The Government is clear that, in the short-term, we must prioritise eliminating the worst forms of temporary accommodation such as families in Bed and Breakfast (B&B), other than in genuine emergencies. We have also launched Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots, backed by £5 million, to work with 20 local councils with the highest use of B&B accommodation for homeless families. This will support LAs to move families into more suitable accommodation.

We are also taking action to improve standards across the housing sector, including temporary accommodation. The Renters’ Rights Bill will extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector which will set clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which landlords in the private rented sector must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards, including damp and mould. We plan to consult on how best to apply Awaab’s Law to temporary accommodation.

Through the Renters’ Rights Bill the government has also introduced powers to apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector. Included in that clause is a power to bring Temporary Accommodation into scope of the Decent Homes Standard. The government’s intention is that the Decent Homes Standard should apply to TA, subject to consultation on the detail of the new standard, including how applicable it is to TA.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to tackle(a) insecure work and (b) level of pay for workers employed in outsourced services in government departments.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Employment Rights Bill will ensure the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. This will include the introduction of the Two-Tier Code which will ensure fair and equitable employment conditions for public sector workers who have been transferred and private sector workers who work alongside them on public service contracts.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending Paid Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave to those who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The loss of a child at any age is incredibly difficult. Parental Bereavement Leave is available to parents who suffer a bereavement from 24 weeks of completed pregnancy up to the age of 18.

Under existing laws, women are protected against any discrimination regarding pregnancy, including miscarriage. We expect employers to treat their employees experiencing miscarriage with compassion, and we encourage them to where possible go further to support their employees. More broadly, the Employment Rights Bill will strengthen protection for new mothers and establish a new right to Bereavement Leave for other loved ones.

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 is taking any steps to (a) identify and (b) tackle fraudulent activity by (i) landlords and (ii) freeholders.

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

The reforms introduced in the Renters’ Rights Bill will be underpinned by an effective, consistent and proportionate enforcement framework.

We are extending councils’ powers to collect and retain revenue for future enforcement work from financial penalties against landlords in the private rented sector who flout the rules. Initial or minor non-compliance will incur a civil penalty of up to £7,000 and serious, persistent or repeat non-compliance a civil penalty of up to £40,000, with the alternative of a criminal prosecution.

We are also providing local authorities with a range of new investigatory powers which will allow them to enforce our new reforms, including powers to require information from relevant persons and any persons and powers of entry to business and residential premises.

The Remediation Acceleration Plan published in December 2024 committed the government to supporting regulators to hold bad actors – whether freeholders or landlords – to account in relation to fixing dangerous buildings, including via robust new powers to enforce remediation.

Freeholders who breach the terms of their lease, or fail to hold service charge monies in a trust fund, may be challenged by leaseholders in the courts.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on recent trends in economic growth.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

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 includes consideration of impacts on economic growth. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments

This represents the best estimate for the likely impacts, including on economic growth, given the current stage of policy development. We expect that the majority of reforms will take effect no earlier than 2026. We plan to refine our analysis as policy development continues, working closely with external experts, businesses and trade unions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to tackle health inequalities affecting women.

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

We have committed to develop a 10-year plan to deliver a National Health Service fit for the future. We will carefully be considering policies, including those that impact women’s health, as we develop the plan.

We want to ensure that the 10-Year Health Plan reflects the diversity of the people who use the NHS every day, and it is important that everyone can have their say as we develop it. The Department has held ministerial roundtables on women’s health as well as maternity and neonatal care, attended by service users, senior clinicians, and a range of charity partners.

We are committed to the Women’s Health Strategy and are continuing work to deliver it. For example, the strategy had an ambition to improve workplace support for menopause, and through the Employment Rights Bill we are making this a reality, by requiring large employers to publish gender equality action plans, including how they are supporting employees through the menopause. Women’s health hubs provide integrated women’s health services in the community, and have a key role tackling health inequalities faced by women. As of December 2024, 39 out of 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) reported to NHS England that they had at least one operational women’s health hub. We continue to engage with and encourage ICBs to use the learning from the women’s health hubs pilots to improve local delivery of services to women.

We are also working with NHS England on how to take forward the Women’s Health Strategy, by aligning it to the Government’s Missions and 10-Year Health Plan.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 176 of the National Risk Register 2025 and page 180 of the National Risk Register 2023, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 and (b) Employment Rights Bill on the risk metrics for the National Risk Register 2025 edition.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

All risks in the National Risk Register, which is the public-facing version of the internal, classified National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) are kept under review to ensure that they are the most appropriate scenarios to inform emergency preparedness and resilience activity.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to protect private renters from potential evictions and rent hikes as unintended consequences of mandating all private rented accommodation meets EPC C by 2030.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government is consulting on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The Renters’ Rights Bill will also put in place new regulations to protect tenants. This includes providing stronger protections to ensure that tenants are able to appeal excessive above-market rents, abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault evictions’, and moving to a simpler tenancy structure where all assured tenancies are periodic. These measures provide more security for tenants and enable them to challenge poor practice and unfair rent increases without fear of eviction.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to increase the amount of bereavement leave.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Employment Rights Bill establishes a new day one statutory right to bereavement leave for employees who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The measures in the bill set a framework for the entitlement, including providing for a minimum of one week leave, with details to be set out in secondary legislation.

Due to the sensitive and personal nature of bereavement, we will be consulting stakeholders on the specifics of the entitlement to ensure that Bereavement Leave properly reflects the needs of employees and employers.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of (a) the adequacy of uptake of Shared Parental Leave and (b) how this will inform future policies to support fathers in taking early parental leave.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Information provided by employers to HMRC shows that in 2023/24 (the latest year for which full year data is available), 17,200 individuals were in receipt of Statutory Shared Parental Pay.

The government is committed to supporting working families. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights. We have committed to review the parental leave system, ensuring it offers the best possible support to working families. Planning work is already underway.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to increase access to bereavement leave.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Employment Rights Bill establishes a new day one statutory right to bereavement leave for employees who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The measures in the bill set a framework for the entitlement, including providing for a minimum of one week leave, with details to be set out in secondary legislation.

Due to the sensitive and personal nature of bereavement, we will be consulting stakeholders on the specifics of the entitlement to ensure that Bereavement Leave properly reflects the needs of employees and employers.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the productivity of businesses where employees work a permanent four-day working week.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

While the government routinely monitors the impact of flexible working, it has made no specific assessment of the four-day week. Additionally, the government has no plans to mandate a four-day week for five-days’ pay. However, we are, through the Employment Rights Bill, giving employees better access to flexible working arrangements, where feasible. Not all businesses will be able to accommodate all forms of flexible working. We want to create a framework that will encourage employers and employees to explore suitable options for flexible working arrangements that suit both parties.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with her international counterparts to help improve (a) pay and (b) conditions for seafarers operating in UK waters.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Improving the pay and working conditions of seafarers is a priority for this government. We are committed to working with our international partners to improve standards.

We have worked closely with the French government to create a minimum wage corridor across the Channel, by bringing the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023 into force alongside equivalent French legislation. Through the Employment Rights Bill, we are amending the Seafarers’ Wages Act to allow us to impose further requirements relating to safety and pay, including tours of duty, and we will be working with our international partners to agree such standards.

We are also taking steps, through the Employment Rights Bill, to ensure that post EU Exit, we have the powers to implement future amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended and the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007.

The UK has signed Memoranda of Understanding with Spain, Greece and Cyprus agreeing to coordinate on matters relating to the conditions of seafarers. We continue to engage with our international partners on matters relating to seafarer employment on international routes.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk that increased labour costs could cause firms (1) to hire fewer workers, and (2) to replace jobs with robots and artificial intelligence technologies.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Delivering on our plan to Make Work Pay is a core part of the mission to grow the economy, raise living standards and create opportunities for all. We are committed to working in partnership with businesses to realise that ambition, enabling businesses and workers to thrive.

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 includes consideration of increases in labour costs for businesses and the subsequent effects. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many single parents with more than two children have been evicted through a Section 21 notice in each year since 2015.

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

The Department does not hold granular data on Section 21 evictions, either year by year or by the demographics of those affected.

However, the English Private Landlord Survey 2024 indicated that Section 21 notices are the most common way landlords evict tenants, and we know that chronic insecurity in the private rented sector has real-life consequences for individuals and families, including single parents.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will deliver our manifesto commitment to transform the experience of private renting, including the long-delayed abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. The Bill will give renters much greater security and stability so they can stay in their homes for longer, build lives in their communities, and avoid the risk of homelessness.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many single parents that have been evicted through a Section 21 notice in each year since 2015.

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

The Department does not hold granular data on Section 21 evictions, either year by year or by the demographics of those affected.

However, the English Private Landlord Survey 2024 indicated that Section 21 notices are the most common way landlords evict tenants, and we know that chronic insecurity in the private rented sector has real-life consequences for individuals and families, including single parents.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will deliver our manifesto commitment to transform the experience of private renting, including the long-delayed abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. The Bill will give renters much greater security and stability so they can stay in their homes for longer, build lives in their communities, and avoid the risk of homelessness.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many Section 21 evictions have taken place in each year since 2015.

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

The Department does not hold granular data on Section 21 evictions, either year by year or by the demographics of those affected.

However, the English Private Landlord Survey 2024 indicated that Section 21 notices are the most common way landlords evict tenants, and we know that chronic insecurity in the private rented sector has real-life consequences for individuals and families, including single parents.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will deliver our manifesto commitment to transform the experience of private renting, including the long-delayed abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. The Bill will give renters much greater security and stability so they can stay in their homes for longer, build lives in their communities, and avoid the risk of homelessness.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to increase statutory parental leave.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government is aware that the parental leave system requires improvement and action to deliver this has already begun. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights, increasing the flexibility of parental leave and helping parents to better balance work and family responsibilities.

The Government has also committed to conduct a review of the parental leave system. This will focus on ensuring that parental leave offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he sought external legal advice when drafting the Employment Rights Bill.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

With respect to the Employment Rights Bill, the Department has been supported by legal advice from the Government Legal Department and, where appropriate, external legal advice. Legal advice provided to the Government is privileged.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has carried out a proportionality assessment on clause 16 of the Employment Rights Bill.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Employment Rights Bill establishes a new day one statutory right for all employees who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The measures in the bill set a framework for the entitlement, and the details will be set out in secondary legislation.

The Government has published an Impact Assessment, which covers the impacts on businesses and workers. Due to the sensitive and personal nature of bereavement, we will be consulting stakeholders on the specifics of the entitlement to ensure that Bereavement Leave is sculpted by the needs of employees and employers.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to create a single enforcement body to ensure employment rights are upheld.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Creating the Fair Work Agency (FWA) is a complex process that requires primary legislation. The Employment Rights Bill is the first phase of delivering the FWA and implementation will occur in phases following Royal Assent. We will set out more detail on this in due course.

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 help improve the quality of housing stock in Heywood and Middleton North constituency.

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

Everyone deserves to live in a decent, safe and warm home. The government is therefore bringing forward a consultation in early 2025, setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors to ensure safe and secure housing is the standard across the country.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will also drive significant improvements to conditions in the private rented sector. Ensuring landlords adhere to a legally binding Decent Homes Standard and extending ‘Awaab’s Law’ to private landlords will reduce the number of poor-quality privately rented homes and empower tenants to raise concerns about damp, dangerous and cold homes.

Regarding new homes, the Building Safety Act created a power to mandate, for the first time, the requirement that all newly built homes be sold with a new build warranty. The government is carefully considering next steps regarding commencement of this power.

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 the provisions of the Renter's Rights Bill do not negatively impact students from (a) Northern Ireland and (b) other devolved nations renting accommodation in England.

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

All tenants renting privately in England, including students, will benefit from the protections in the Renters’ Rights Bill, wherever they are from.

The abolition of section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will end chronic insecurity in the private rented sector, and the abolition of fixed term tenancies will enable tenants to leave tenancies by giving two months’ notice, ending the injustice of being trapped paying rent for substandard properties or unable to respond to their changing circumstances.

We recognise the cyclical nature of the student lettings market, which is why the Bill introduces a new mandatory ground for possession which will allow landlords renting Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) to full time students in England to seek possession ahead of each new academic year, facilitating the ongoing yearly cycle of short-term student tenancies and ensuring there is a supply of properties for incoming groups of students.

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 end of fixed term tenancies on student accommodation in the private rented sector.

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

We want all tenants renting privately, including students, to benefit from the increased security and flexibility the Renters’ Rights Bill will provide.

Students will benefit from the removal of fixed term tenancies. Fixed terms mean that renters are obliged to pay rent regardless of whether a property is up to standard, and they reduce renters’ flexibility to move when they need to. The government is clear that there is no place for fixed terms in the future assured tenancy system.

To facilitate the yearly cycle of short-term student tenancies, the Bill introduces a new ground for possession which will allow landlords renting to full-time students in Houses of Multiple Occupation to seek possession ahead of each new academic year.

The department has engaged with a range of stakeholders in the student accommodation market and will continue to do so.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether their Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

To qualify for shared parental leave, an employee must have been in continuous employment with the Civil Service for 26 weeks up to and including the fifteenth week before the week in which their baby is due to be born.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.

The Civil Service management code states that, departments and agencies may only grant shared parental leave in accordance with the statutory requirements governing eligibility for this category of leave. However, some staff could qualify for statutory shared parental leave on their first day of service with a department because they already have qualifying service with another department.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to consult with relevant parties and stakeholders to define a "guaranteed hours contract" as set out in the Consultation on the application of zero-hours contracts measures to agency workers, updated on 31 October 2024.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government consulted on how to apply the zero hours contracts measures in the Employment Rights Bill to agency workers, because of the intricacies of the tripartite employment model between agencies, agency workers and hirers.

We will respond to that consultation in due course, and we will subsequently consult on the details of zero hours contracts measures - including reference periods and hours thresholds - to inform their implementation. The measures are expected to be implemented no sooner than 2026.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to consult relevant parties and stakeholders to define a "reference period" as set out in the Consultation on the application of zero-hours contracts measures to agency workers, updated on 31 October 2024.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government consulted on how to apply the zero hours contracts measures in the Employment Rights Bill to agency workers, because of the intricacies of the tripartite employment model between agencies, agency workers and hirers.

We will respond to that consultation in due course, and we will subsequently consult on the details of zero hours contracts measures - including reference periods and hours thresholds - to inform their implementation. The measures are expected to be implemented no sooner than 2026.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to tackle workplace sexual harassment.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Office for Equality and Opportunity is working closely with the Home Office to deliver on our landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

We are also working with the Department for Business and Trade to progress the Employment Rights Bill. As part of this, we will strengthen protections against harassment and sexual harassment in the course of employment, by introducing three amendments to the Equality Act 2010.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to consult with relevant parties and stakeholders and define a "low hours contract" as set out in the Consultation on the application of zero-hours contracts measures to agency workers, updated on 31 October 2024.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government consulted on how to apply the zero hours contracts measures in the Employment Rights Bill to agency workers, because of the intricacies of the tripartite employment model between agencies, agency workers and hirers.

We will respond to that consultation in due course, and we will subsequently consult on the details of zero hours contracts measures - including reference periods and hours thresholds - to inform their implementation. The measures are expected to be implemented no sooner than 2026.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to remove restrictions on short-term lets for residential flats following the provision in the Renters' Rights Bill to introduce periodic tenancies.

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

We have no plans to remove restrictions on short-term lets for residential flats. The Renters’ Rights Bill includes a provision to ensure landlords will not be able to evict tenants simply to turn the property into a holiday let. We are considering what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by short-term lets.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to APPG for Households in Temporary Accommodation's report entitled child mortality in temporary accommodation, published on 28 January 2025, what steps her Department is taking to stop child deaths in temporary accommodation.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

These statistics are shocking. Homelessness levels are far too high and we are taking action to fix the current system that has left too many families without security or stability.

The Homelessness Code of Guidance is clear that temporary accommodation should not be considered suitable for a family with children under 2 if there is not enough space for a cot and that housing authorities should support families to secure a cot where needed. The legislation is clear that all temporary accommodation must be suitable, and local authorities should keep the suitability of accommodation under review. Where an individual feels that the council has applied their statutory duties incorrectly, they can take action in the courts or bring their concerns to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy.

As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services has been increased by £233 million compared to last year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total Homelessness spend to nearly £1 billion in 25/26, a record level of funding.

In addition, the £1.2 billion Local Authority Housing Fund will provide capital funding directly to English councils and is expected to provide up to 7,000 homes by 2026. It will create a lasting asset for UK nationals by building a sustainable stock of affordable housing and better-quality temporary accommodation for local communities.

The Government has also launched Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots, backed by £5 million, to work with 20 local councils with the highest use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation for homeless families. This will support LAs to move families into more suitable accommodation.

We are also taking action to improve standards across the housing sector, including temporary accommodation. The Renters’ Rights Bill will extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector which will set clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which landlords in the private rented sector must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards, including damp and mould. We plan to consult on how best to apply Awaab’s Law to temporary accommodation.

Through the Renters’ Rights Bill the government has also introduced powers to apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector. Included in that clause is a power to bring Temporary Accommodation into scope of the Decent Homes Standard. The government’s intention is that the Decent Homes Standard should apply to TA, subject to consultation on the detail of the new standard, including how applicable it is to TA.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Department is taking to support local authorities with the cost of placing people in temporary accommodation.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

These statistics are shocking. Homelessness levels are far too high and we are taking action to fix the current system that has left too many families without security or stability.

The Homelessness Code of Guidance is clear that temporary accommodation should not be considered suitable for a family with children under 2 if there is not enough space for a cot and that housing authorities should support families to secure a cot where needed. The legislation is clear that all temporary accommodation must be suitable, and local authorities should keep the suitability of accommodation under review. Where an individual feels that the council has applied their statutory duties incorrectly, they can take action in the courts or bring their concerns to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy.

As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services has been increased by £233 million compared to last year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total Homelessness spend to nearly £1 billion in 25/26, a record level of funding.

In addition, the £1.2 billion Local Authority Housing Fund will provide capital funding directly to English councils and is expected to provide up to 7,000 homes by 2026. It will create a lasting asset for UK nationals by building a sustainable stock of affordable housing and better-quality temporary accommodation for local communities.

The Government has also launched Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots, backed by £5 million, to work with 20 local councils with the highest use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation for homeless families. This will support LAs to move families into more suitable accommodation.

We are also taking action to improve standards across the housing sector, including temporary accommodation. The Renters’ Rights Bill will extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector which will set clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which landlords in the private rented sector must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards, including damp and mould. We plan to consult on how best to apply Awaab’s Law to temporary accommodation.

Through the Renters’ Rights Bill the government has also introduced powers to apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector. Included in that clause is a power to bring Temporary Accommodation into scope of the Decent Homes Standard. The government’s intention is that the Decent Homes Standard should apply to TA, subject to consultation on the detail of the new standard, including how applicable it is to TA.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department offers protection to staff from unfair dismissal from their first working day.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department has appropriate policies and processes in place to ensure employees are treated fairly from day one of their employment.

All dismissals are handled in line with current legislation and appropriate Codes of Practice. Where an employee feels they may have been unfairly dismissed, appropriate internal appeal routes may be instigated.

Where an employee is unable to solve a problem internally, they may be able to go to an employment tribunal to claim unfair dismissal, as set out in legislation.

This position will be reviewed when unfair dismissal rights are updated in line with proposals in the Employment Rights Bill.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department offers paternity leave to its staff from their first working day.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Employees must have at least 26 continuous weeks employment in the Civil Service up to any day in the ‘qualifying week’ to be eligible for paternity leave. The ‘qualifying week’ is the fifteenth week before the baby is due.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.

Some employees may qualify for statutory paternity leave on their first day of service with the department because they have qualifying service with another Civil Service department.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of Oscar Mayer Limited on its employment practices.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Ministers meet regularly with business organisations and trade associations. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations and individuals are published quarterly on GOV.UK.

This Government has introduced the Employment Rights Bill, representing the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. This includes day one protections from unfair dismissal, banning exploitative zero hours contracts and ending fire and rehire.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with Oscar Mayer on their employment practices.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Ministers meet regularly with business organisations and trade associations. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations and individuals are published quarterly on GOV.UK.

This Government has introduced the Employment Rights Bill, representing the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. This includes day one protections from unfair dismissal, banning exploitative zero hours contracts and ending fire and rehire.

Found: Employment Rights Bill 2024-25: Progress of the bill

Found: Report Stage: Friday 21 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This document

Found: Renters' Rights Bill RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Tabled up to and

Found: Report Stage: Thursday 20 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This

Found: Renters' Rights Bill RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Tabled up to and

Found: Renters' Rights Bill RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Tabled up to and

Found: Renters' Rights Bill RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Tabled up to and

Found: Report Stage: Friday 14 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This document

Found: Report Stage: Thursday 13 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This

Found: Renters' Rights Bill RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Tabled up to and

Found: Report Stage: Wednesday 12 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This

Found: Renters' Rights Bill RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Tabled up to and

Found: Report Stage: Tuesday 11 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This document

Found: Report Stage: Monday 10 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This document

Found: Renters' Rights Bill RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Tabled up to and

Found: Report Stage: Friday 7 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This document

Found: Renters' Rights Bill RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Tabled up to and

Found: Report Stage: Thursday 6 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This document

Found: Renters' Rights Bill RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Tabled up to and

Found: Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee HL Paper 79 14th Report of Session 2024–25 Renters’ Rights Bill

Found: Report Stage: Wednesday 5 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This

Found: Renters' Rights Bill RUNNING LIST OF ALL AMENDMENTS IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE Tabled up to and

Found: The National Education Union (NEU) welcomes the opportunity to submit evidence on the Employment Rights Bill

Found: Report Stage: Tuesday 4 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This document

Found: Report Stage: Monday 3 February 2025 Employment Rights Bill, As Amended (Amendment Paper) This document

Found: I’m proud of the reforms that we’ve set out in the Employment Rights Bill - of the opportunities they

Found: This government will: Introduce powers through the Renters’ Rights Bill to extend Awaab’s Law to the

Found: to boost the pockets of some the lowest paid workers by up to £600 a year through the Employment Rights Bill

Found: The Renters’ Rights Bill will give tenants the stability they deserve, set clear legal standards for

Found: for compliance before potentially proposing this requirement. 4 A summary of the Renters’ Rights Bill

Found: Octopus Energy, Haleon, Whitbread, Co-op, Burberry To discuss Make Work Pay and the Employment Rights Bill

Found: I’m proud of the reforms that we’ve set out in the Employment Rights Bill - of the opportunities they

Found: to boost the pockets of some the lowest paid workers by up to £600 a year through the Employment Rights Bill

Found: for urgent legislation, and in particular for its fast turnaround on the IA for the Employment Rights Bill

Found: 01/2025 from Justin Madders MP to Greg Smith MP regarding an issue raised during the Employment Rights Bill

Found: considered powers to make subordinate legislation within devolved competence in 2 LCMs— • Renters' Rights Bill

Found: Housing and Planning Committee Report on a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) for the Renters' Rights Bill

Found: during these sessions, witnesses and Committee members were unaware that the anticipated Human Rights Bill

Found: Legislative Consent Memorandum: delegated powers relevant to Scotland in the Renters' Rights Bill A report

Found: item 1 The Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill Update Agenda item 2 Human Rights Bill

Found: Eleanor explained that there had been wider concerns around the complexity of the Human Rights Bill

Found: take several years and needs to be tied in with the development of other things e.g. the Human Rights Bill

Found: Human Rights Bill : The CPG was asked for their support on the Scottish Human Rights Bill.

Found: covering relevant issues: - Ending Conversion Practices legislation – not included in PfG - Human Rights Bill

Found: Director of the Human Rights Consortium Scotland , gave a presentation, “It’s all Rights – A Human Rights Bill

Found: Enable was re -elected as the group’ s secretariat The group discussed the LDAN Bill, Human Rights Bill

Found: 00:00MeetingHousing 2040 Board MeetingHousing2024-10-30 00:00:00Meeting / Video ConferenceHuman Rights Bill

Found: Government’s progress on Fair Work being outstripped by upcoming legislation in the UK Employment Rights Bill

Found: monitored and the provisions will be reflected upon as part of the development of the forthcoming Human Rights Bill

Found: Living Policy OfficerHousing and Social Security Policy OfficerHousing to 2040 Policy OfficerHuman Rights Bill

Found: Human Rights Bill: Implementation Working Group - October 2024

Found: Scotland2023-08-15 00:00:00240unknown -[REDACTED] [REDACTED]-Disability Equality Scotland Invoice -Human Rights Bill

Found: Scottish Human Rights Bill ..........................................................................

Found: • We had originally intended to introduce a Human Rights Bill in this Parliamentary session.

Found: conversion practices bill and non- legislative measures, followed by a discussion on the Human Rights Bill

Found: , 2024 12:53 PM To: Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Subject: A Human Rights Bill

Found: Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) into Scots law via the Scottish Government's proposed Human Rights Bill

Found: ..1..Hub Triage Manager.....1.Human RIghts Policy Lead (Treaties and International)..11111Human Rights Bill

Found: Human Rights Strategy and Legislation [Redacted – s38(1)(b)] [Redacted – s38(1)(b)] Human Rights Bill

Found: Human Rights Bill: Core Implementation Working Group - May 2024

Found: Human Rights Bill: Wider Implementation Working Group Minutes - April 2024

Found: Human Rights Bill costs breakdown and timescales: FOI release

Found: Human Rights Bill costs breakdown and timescales: FOI release

Found: • We are committed to the Human Rights Bill.

Found: The Fostering Network recommended the Scottish Government recommit to introducing a Human Rights Bill

Found: Rights policy including international treaty reporting and follow-up and work to consult on a Human Rights Bill

Found: Rights policy including international treaty reporting and follow-up and work to consult on a Human Rights Bill

Found: principles and the UK legal employment framework, for example the recently announced Employment Rights Bill

Found: was taken in order to avoid any inconsistency or duplication, Key legislation included the Human Rights Bill

Found: during the session include: • With relevance to reserved areas: o The Bill of Rights Bill

Found: Some responses suggested that, in their view, the impact of the proposed Human Rights Bill for Scotland

Found: which will be rounds of discussions with individuals focusing on different aspects of SG’s Human Rights Bill

Found: conversion practices bill and non-legislative measures, followed by a discussion on the Human Rights Bill

Found: options in local areas • The Scottish Government had originally intended to introduce a human rights bill

Found: AOH asked if she was correct in thinking there was no mention of human rights or the Human Rights Bill

Found: :Ending conversion practices in Scotland: consultation A Human Rights Bill for Scotland: Consultation

Found: . • In 2023, we consulted on a Human Rights Bill that would give effect to a wide range of internationally-recognised

Found: Employment Rights Bill: Letter to UK Government

Found: co-chairs to ask them to consider the challenges and opportunities linked to upcoming UK Employment Rights Bill

Found: This will be relevant to the plans for the proposed Human Rights Bill to be introduced in this Parliamentary

Found: ’, the Resource Spending Review and Fiscal Sustainability , the National Care Service; Human Rights Bill

Found: Consent recommended Data (Use and Access) Bill 22 November 2024 Consent recommended Employment Rights Bill

Found: Government Product Regulation and Metrology Bill 24 September 2024 Consent not recommended Renters' Rights Bill