The new Government has announced a comprehensive overhaul of employment law in what it is calling the ‘biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.’  The ‘Plan to Make Work Pay’ sets out the Government’s agenda to boost wages, reduce insecure work and grow Britain’s economy. 

The wide-ranging Bill currently passing through Parliament (you can track its progress here) sets out to: 

• Ban exploitative zero-hours contracts 
• End ‘Fire and Rehire’ and ‘Fire and Replace’ 
• Make parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal a day one right 
• Strengthen statutory sick pay 
• Make flexible working the default from day one 
• Strengthen protections for pregnant women and new mothers returning to work  
• Strengthen protections from sexual harassment at work 
• Strengthen legislation around the allocation of tips 
• Strengthen protections around collective redundancy 
• Introduce a new right to bereavement leave 
• Establish a new Single Enforcement Body, called the Fair Work Agency 
• Establish Fair Pay Agreements in the adult social care sector 
• Reinstate the School Support Staff Negotiating Body 
• Upgrade Trade Union legislation

The Committee is launching this inquiry, which will take written and oral evidence with a view to informing the later stages of the Bill’s passage through Parliament, to help assess whether it will achieve these aims. Areas to consider include: 

• How the Bill will contribute to the Government’s stated goal of achieving the fastest growth in the G7.
• Whether the Employment Rights Bill will adequately protect workers, improve security at work and raise living standards in every part of the country.
• The impact the Bill will have on businesses, in particular investment rates, start-up rates, the supply of labour and the employment rate.
• How to ensure adequate protection against exporting poor labour standards, including concerns over forced labour in international supply chains.

We want to know your views on the Government’s goals to:

• Become the economy with the fastest sustained economic growth in the G7.
• Deliver a ‘pro-business, pro-worker’ agenda with rising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom.
• Develop closer trading relationships with others, including with the European Union.
• Maintain the UK’s status as a global leader in protecting consumers.

The Business and Trade Committee (BTC) is looking to scrutinise the most important topics that could help the UK reach the fastest sustainable growth in the G7. This will allow us to create practical recommendations for the Department for Business and Trade to deliver change.

We are looking to hear from as many of the following groups across the UK in November and December 2024:

• Businesses
• Consumer Groups
• Trade Unions
• Local Government
• Academics

The Committee would welcome your thoughts on these matters. Please check back to this page in the coming days to find a link to the survey.