Unions press Labour on workers rights bill as hundreds of thousands ‘stuck’ on zero-hours contracts
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Unions press Labour on workers rights bill as hundreds of thousands ‘stuck’ on zero-hours contracts

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Trade unions are piling pressure on Sir Keir Starmer not to row back on Labour’s workers’ rights package in search of economic growth, warning that hundreds of thousands of zero-hours workers are stuck under current rules. And highlighting what it calls “a nightmare for families”, the TUC said Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, introduced to Parliament in October, was desperately needed. Angela Rayner has been the biggest champion of Labour’s workers rights reforms The bill aims to crack down on insecure work and includes a ban on what it describes as exploitative zero-hours contracts, also known as casual contracts, under which employers do not guarantee a minimum number of hours for employees. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: "Zero-hours contracts give bosses almost total control of workers' earning power and hours, making it a nightmare for families to plan budgets and childcare.

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History of this topic

Labour’s ‘right to switch off’ faces axe this week
3 weeks, 1 day ago

Labour’s ‘right to switch off’ faces axe this week

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ministers are expected to axe plans to give people a …

Labour set to axe workers' 'right to switch off': Plans to ban employers contacting staff outside of working hours to be scrapped in bid to boost economic growth after tax raid Budget
3 weeks, 2 days ago

Labour set to axe workers' 'right to switch off': Plans to ban employers contacting staff outside of working hours to be scrapped in bid to boost economic growth after tax raid Budget

Daily Mail  

Plans to give staff the right to ignore bosses' messages outside of working hours will be dropped by the government this week. But the policy will be scrapped to reduce the impact on businesses that are preparing for tax increases starting next month as a result of Rachel Reeves's budget last autumn. The proposal to grant workers a 'right to …

Labour rebels push for four-day week in employment rights drive
1 month, 1 week ago

Labour rebels push for four-day week in employment rights drive

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A group of Labour rebels are pushing for Angela Rayner to …

Focus on boosting workers’ rights rather than immigration raids to quash Farage threat, Starmer told
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Focus on boosting workers’ rights rather than immigration raids to quash Farage threat, Starmer told

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In Farage’s Clacton seat, 70 per cent support banning zero-hours contracts and 71 per cent …

Trade union boss warns Reeves against trading workers rights for economic growth
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Trade union boss warns Reeves against trading workers rights for economic growth

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A senior trade union boss has warned Rachel Reeves that the …

Labour's controversial workers' rights bill risks becoming 'an adventure playground for employment rights lawyers', business chiefs warn
2 months, 1 week ago

Labour's controversial workers' rights bill risks becoming 'an adventure playground for employment rights lawyers', business chiefs warn

Daily Mail  

Labour's controversial workers’ rights charter risks becoming ‘an adventure playground for employment rights lawyers’, the president of the CBI said yesterday. Rupert Soames urged ministers to think again about measures in the Employment Rights Bill, which he warned would cost jobs and damage growth. ‘Nobody wants this, but the things like the probation periods in the Employment Rights Bill, we …

Starmer declares Britain ‘simply isn’t working’ and unveils plan to slash benefits bill
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Starmer declares Britain ‘simply isn’t working’ and unveils plan to slash benefits bill

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Keir Starmer has declared Britain “simply isn’t working” as he …

What changes to workers’ rights mean for the Budget – and the economy
5 months ago

What changes to workers’ rights mean for the Budget – and the economy

The Independent  

While it has nowhere near the importance of next week’s Budget, the Employment Rights Bill will have a significant and potentially long-lasting effect on the economy. However, it has equally been the case that union memberships have usually endorsed a six-monthly renewal of the strike mandate, and there’s no reason to believe that a one-year rule would make much practical …

Labour MPs force through workers' rights overhaul despite fears small businesses will be smashed by multi-billion pound costs and powers for unions
5 months ago

Labour MPs force through workers' rights overhaul despite fears small businesses will be smashed by multi-billion pound costs and powers for unions

Daily Mail  

Labour punched its controversial workers' rights reforms through the Commons last night despite a backlash from MPs over the £5billion cost to businesses. Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake argued the Employment Rights Bill would create 'an existential crisis of a magnitude not seen since the pandemic' for smaller companies. Policies such as day-one protections from unfair dismissals and ensuring guaranteed …

Ministers admit workers' rights overhaul could cost business £5BILLION a year and lead to price rises and job cuts - as MPs brace to vote on new laws TODAY
5 months ago

Ministers admit workers' rights overhaul could cost business £5BILLION a year and lead to price rises and job cuts - as MPs brace to vote on new laws TODAY

Daily Mail  

Ministers have admitted that Labour's workers' rights overhaul could cost businesses £5billion a year. The so-called 'impact assessment' for the Employments Rights Bill has been released ahead of a debate and vote by MPs later It is the first time the government has produced any estimated costs for the controversial measures There have been warnings that the Employment Rights Bill …

Union says Labour’s workers’ bill has ‘more holes than Swiss cheese’
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Union says Labour’s workers’ bill has ‘more holes than Swiss cheese’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Labour’s new workers’ rights legislation is under fire, with one union …

Is Labour’s workers’ rights Bill really a death knell for small business?
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Is Labour’s workers’ rights Bill really a death knell for small business?

The Independent  

If we are to believe some of the more hysterical commentary, Labour’s plans to beef up workers’ rights and “make work pay” will be the death of business. There will also be consultations on a more business-friendly statutory probationary period for new workers – although unfair dismissal protections will still apply. The FSB said the Bill would leave them “struggling” …

Will legislation to improve workers’ rights live up to the billing?
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Will legislation to improve workers’ rights live up to the billing?

The Independent  

A new Labour government is hardly worthy of the name if it doesn’t address the legal rights of working people. Workers will have a right to a guaranteed-hours contract if they work regular hours over a defined period • “Fire and rehire practices” will be mostly outlawed – again, there’ll be talks on what exceptional circumstances might apply • Age …

Labour's 'rushed' workers' rights law will 'inject fear' into firms with plan to give staff right to sick and maternity pay from day one and make flexible WFH the norm, business leaders warn
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Labour's 'rushed' workers' rights law will 'inject fear' into firms with plan to give staff right to sick and maternity pay from day one and make flexible WFH the norm, business leaders warn

Daily Mail  

Labour is embroiled in a major battle over its 'rushed' new workers' rights reforms as businesses and the opposition hit back at plans to empower nine million employees. Advertising mogul Sir Martin Sorrell previously described the Deputy Prime Minister's flagship plan to reform workers' rights as Labour's 'Achilles heel'. Labour MPs and trade unions hailed the reforms, with Ms Rayner …

What is in the new Employment Rights Bill?
5 months, 2 weeks ago

What is in the new Employment Rights Bill?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. – Bringing together the various agencies and bodies that …

From flexible working to paternity leave: What you need to know about the Government’s new Employment Rights Bill
5 months, 2 weeks ago

From flexible working to paternity leave: What you need to know about the Government’s new Employment Rights Bill

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The government said its Employment Rights Bill is being unveiled against a backdrop of …

Businesses left furious as Labour to unveil their French-style workers rights revolution TODAY - with Brits 'getting the right to flexible working'
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Businesses left furious as Labour to unveil their French-style workers rights revolution TODAY - with Brits 'getting the right to flexible working'

Daily Mail  

Business chiefs have reacted with outrage to Labour's landmark employment reforms. Labour has claimed its reforms will offer a 'boom to the economy' as part of Sir Keir Starmer 's growth agenda But there are fears the Bill could tie small firms up in red tape, causing bosses to 'freeze employment'. Labour MPs and trade unions hailed the reforms, with …

Labour's plans to give workers extra rights 'could stop firms from taking on new staff', experts warn
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Labour's plans to give workers extra rights 'could stop firms from taking on new staff', experts warn

Daily Mail  

Bosses may stop hiring new staff to avoid the burden of new workers' rights to be unveiled by ministers this week, it is feared. Labour's plans to overhaul workers' rights may see bosses halt hiring new staff to avoid the burden of new restrictions, experts have warned Under new reforms to be unveiled by ministers this week, workers are to …

Government to hold talks on ending ‘exploitative’ zero-hours contracts
6 months, 1 week ago

Government to hold talks on ending ‘exploitative’ zero-hours contracts

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Angela Rayner is set to …

Two thirds of businesses think Labour reforms will damage British competitiveness
6 months, 1 week ago

Two thirds of businesses think Labour reforms will damage British competitiveness

The Telegraph  

Close to two thirds of British businesses think Labour’s reforms to workers’ rights will make the country a less attractive place to invest. Proposals being put forward by Angela Rayner will mean staff no longer have to wait two years until they qualify for full employment rights, instead giving immediate protection from unfair dismissal. Matthew Percival, of the Confederation of …

Cut workers’ hours and make strikes easier, unions urge Starmer
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Cut workers’ hours and make strikes easier, unions urge Starmer

The Telegraph  

British employment laws are “significantly weaker” than those in other major economies, a report has revealed. Unions are urging Sir Keir Starmer to cut workers’ hours and make strikes easier after research found that labour laws in Britain are half as protective as those in France, and far weaker than in other European countries such as Germany, Italy and Spain. …

Labour warned that French-style overhaul of workers' rights that gives immediate access to flexible working, sick leave and dismissal protection could end up costing jobs because employers will be war
8 months, 1 week ago

Labour warned that French-style overhaul of workers' rights that gives immediate access to flexible working, sick leave and dismissal protection could end up costing jobs because employers will be war

Daily Mail  

Labour has been warned that its plan to reform workers' rights could lead to higher unemployment because firms will be reluctant to take on new staff if they run the risk of being sued. The King's Speech included a vow to give employees a right to flexible working from 'day one', as well as immediate access to sickness and parental …

The huge changes to employment rights unveiled
8 months, 1 week ago

The huge changes to employment rights unveiled

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Measures will include banning “exploitative” zero-hours contracts, ending policies of fire and re-hire, and …

Unions demand ‘oven ready’ workers’ rights laws in Starmer’s first King’s Speech
8 months, 1 week ago

Unions demand ‘oven ready’ workers’ rights laws in Starmer’s first King’s Speech

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Trade union leaders …

Could banning zero-hour contracts be Labour’s downfall?
10 months, 1 week ago

Could banning zero-hour contracts be Labour’s downfall?

The Independent  

Despite the painted smiles as Labour and the trade unions declared an outbreak of peace in a joint statement last night, tensions remain between the two sides. In public, the unions declared victory after their three-hour meeting with Keir Starmer and shadow ministers confirmed Labour’s commitment to what Starmer has called the biggest “levelling-up of workers’ rights” for a generation. …

Keir Starmer faces clash with Labour's union paymasters as he 'waters down plans to ban zero hours contracts and out-of-hours emails to workers' after backlash from business
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Keir Starmer faces clash with Labour's union paymasters as he 'waters down plans to ban zero hours contracts and out-of-hours emails to workers' after backlash from business

Daily Mail  

Keir Starmer is facing a showdown with Labour's union paymasters amid claims he is poised to water down workers' rights reforms. Angela Rayner and Keir Starmer attend a Labour event at Harlow Town FC in Essex yesterday Unite general secretary Sharon Graham warned 'a red line will be crossed' if the party U-turns on previous employment pledges while TUC president …

Starmer's ban on zero-hours contracts will destroy jobs, bolster the union barons - and leave us ALL picking up the bill, writes ALEX BRUMMER
1 year ago

Starmer's ban on zero-hours contracts will destroy jobs, bolster the union barons - and leave us ALL picking up the bill, writes ALEX BRUMMER

Daily Mail  

Takeaway delivery drivers are one of the more familiar sights on our roads today, often on a wobbly moped with L plates bringing hot meals to our doors. The zero-hour plan is just one part of Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to offer what his party calls ‘A New Deal For Working People’ Sir Keir Starmer at the Labour Party Conference …

Rayner to strengthen workers’ rights ‘within Labour’s first 100 days in office’
1 year, 5 months ago

Rayner to strengthen workers’ rights ‘within Labour’s first 100 days in office’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We will boost collective bargaining, to improve workers’ pay, terms and conditions.” She later …

Strikes bill ‘huge step backwards’ for tackling racism at work, government warned
2 years ago

Strikes bill ‘huge step backwards’ for tackling racism at work, government warned

The Independent  

A controversial new law on strikes will be a “huge backwards step” for tackling racism at work in Britain, union and charities have warned. The TUC, the Equality Trust, and Runnymede Trust are calling on Rishi Sunak’s government to drop this “spiteful” bill, warning that Black, Asian and minority ethnic workers could be unfairly targeted for dismissal given that they’re …

After Brexit, UK seeks worker-rights reforms, setting up EU clash
4 years, 2 months ago

After Brexit, UK seeks worker-rights reforms, setting up EU clash

Al Jazeera  

UK reportedly wants to scrap 48-hour limit on length of working week but says it will not lower protections. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said on Twitter that the government is “not going to lower the standards of workers’ rights.” If the plans are pursued, they have the potential to cause friction with the EU just weeks after the U.K. sealed …

Labour Code 2020: Overwhelming Majority of Workers Remain Vulnerable
4 years, 5 months ago

Labour Code 2020: Overwhelming Majority of Workers Remain Vulnerable

News 18  

The government has been at the receiving end this past week, from farmers as well as from workers in India’s vast informal sector. These broadly relate to workers’ right to strike and have pre-defined working hours, employers’ right to hire and fire and provision of social security benefits to gig workers, among others. An analysis by brokerage Edelweiss notes that …

Unions demand law change to safeguard rights of workers in garment factory ‘sweatshops’
4 years, 8 months ago

Unions demand law change to safeguard rights of workers in garment factory ‘sweatshops’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Recent reports have suggested staff in Leicester “sweatshops” are paid as little as £4 an …

Labour MPs urged to disregard PM’s ‘half-hearted’ Brexit pledge on workers’ rights ahead of crunch vote
6 years ago

Labour MPs urged to disregard PM’s ‘half-hearted’ Brexit pledge on workers’ rights ahead of crunch vote

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy …

Gig economy: Theresa May promises to improve conditions for millions of workers
7 years, 1 month ago

Gig economy: Theresa May promises to improve conditions for millions of workers

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We are proud to have record levels of employment in this country, but we must …

Zero-hours contract workers 'should have right to request guaranteed hours', Government review will say
7 years, 10 months ago

Zero-hours contract workers 'should have right to request guaranteed hours', Government review will say

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Government-commissioned inquiry will call …

Surge in gig economy work and zero-hours contracts costs UK £4bn in lost taxes
8 years, 1 month ago

Surge in gig economy work and zero-hours contracts costs UK £4bn in lost taxes

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: “The huge rise …

Brexit: British workers 'facing explosion of zero-hours contracts and fewer rights'
8 years, 1 month ago

Brexit: British workers 'facing explosion of zero-hours contracts and fewer rights'

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy …

Zero-hours contracts to become main source of income for 1m British workers
9 years ago

Zero-hours contracts to become main source of income for 1m British workers

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy One million British workers will soon be relying on zero-hours contracts …

Zero-hours contracts: Tories have broken their pledge on job security
9 years ago

Zero-hours contracts: Tories have broken their pledge on job security

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The 2015 Conservative manifesto promised “we …

Zero hours workers are as happy as other employees, research shows
9 years, 3 months ago

Zero hours workers are as happy as other employees, research shows

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Zero hours contracts – where …

'Draconian' Trade Union Bill passes second reading in Commons
9 years, 6 months ago

'Draconian' Trade Union Bill passes second reading in Commons

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government’s controversial Trade Union Bill has passed its second reading …

General Election 2015: Miliband promises an end to 'zero hours Britain'
9 years, 11 months ago

General Election 2015: Miliband promises an end to 'zero hours Britain'

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But speaking in Yorkshire today, Mr Miliband will attack Mr Cameron for the way he …

62 Labour MPs employ workers on zero hour contracts despite party campaigning against them
10 years, 10 months ago

62 Labour MPs employ workers on zero hour contracts despite party campaigning against them

Daily Mail  

62 Labour MPs are employing workers on zero hours contracts despite the party campaigning against them Figures produced by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority reveal that MPs employ 151 staff on zero hours contracts 62 are employed by Labour MPs, 77 by Conservatives, five by Liberal Democrats and seven by independents and the minor parties ' Labour government will give …

TUC conference: Delegates call for co-ordinated industrial action over pay and zero hour contracts
11 years, 6 months ago

TUC conference: Delegates call for co-ordinated industrial action over pay and zero hour contracts

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Pressure is building for co-ordinated industrial action on pay, jobs and …

ONS admits underestimating number of workers on controversial zero hours contracts
11 years, 7 months ago

ONS admits underestimating number of workers on controversial zero hours contracts

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of workers employed on zero hours contracts has been …

Pandora: Come and work for Labour – for nothing
16 years, 7 months ago

Pandora: Come and work for Labour – for nothing

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. "Did you know that it's 10 years since Labour …

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