Sun, 07 Sep 2025

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 Unions warn government not to water down workers' rights bill

The TUC has urged the government to "stay on course" in delivering its employment rights bill - a major shake-up of workers' rights.

* Unison general secretary Christina McAnea has described it as a "huge mistake" if the bill is not implemented in full, which includes protections against unfair dismissal and a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts.
* Other unions have expressed similar concerns that the government may no longer be committed to implementing the bill in its current form.
* The departure of Angela Rayner, the former employment minister, has been cited as a concern by trade union leaders, who feel they have lost a fierce champion for workers' rights in government.
* Senior Labour MPs are warning that the bill risks being "slow walked" through parliament, with some fearing that ministers may be tempted to delay its implementation due to economic pressures.
* Trade union leaders from across the movement have expressed their concerns about the potential watering down of the bill, with many calling for a clear timetable for its implementation.
* The TUC has urged the government to "stay on course" and deliver the bill in full, while unions such as USDAW are concerned that an amendment could be adopted that would weaken workers' rights.
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