Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has issued guidance to universities on the Employment Rights Act; and what steps she is taking to prevent university employers engaging in fire and rehire practices before January 2027.

Universities are autonomous institutions and, as such, like any other employer, are expected to comply with UK employment laws. The government has not issued specific guidance to universities on the Employment Rights Act, but clearly they should comply with it as they should any other law.

The government does not have an intervening role with specific providers or in resolving disputes between providers and their staff. Providers are however expected to work with their staff to develop sustainable models that retain talent and expertise, and provide stability for the workforce and the institution.