Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England, has welcomed the publication of the Employment Rights Bill.
Unveiled today (10 October), within the first 100 days of the new national government being elected, the Bill will deliver promised upgrades to workers’ rights across the UK – including here in the West of England.
Mayor Dan Norris welcomed the Employment Rights Bill, saying:
“People across the West of England, and our whole country, deserve stronger rights at work, and that’s what the pragmatic reforms in the Labour Government’s Employment Rights Bill will deliver through a new deal for working people.”
“This law will better protect workers against unfair dismissal, including pregnant women and new mothers; end fire and rehire practices; offer guaranteed hours for workers on zero hours contracts; and repeal the previous government’s antiquated anti-union legislation.”
The Mayor also again urged local businesses to sign up to the West of England Good Employment Charter which he launched in 2022 with the support of regional trade unions. Already, 187 members and supporters are signed up including major local firms such as Aardman, Bath Spa University, and Hargreaves Lansdown, employing almost 22,000 workers. The Charter prioritises the creation of good quality jobs which are fair and accessible to all, and paid at least the Real Living Wage, improving morale and retention within businesses and fostering economic growth and success.
Speaking about the Bill, which was confirmed in His Majesty The King’s Speech to both Houses of Parliament in July, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner today said: “This government is delivering the biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation, boosting pay and productivity with employment laws fit for a modern economy. We’re turning the page on an economy riven with insecurity, ravaged by dire productivity and blighted by low pay.
“The UK’s out-of-date employment laws are holding our country back and failing business and workers alike. Our plans to make work pay will deliver security in work as the foundation for boosting productivity and growing our economy to make working people better off and realise our potential.
“Too many people are drawn into a race to the bottom, denied the security they need to raise a family while businesses are unable to retain the workers they need to grow. We’re raising the floor on rights at work to deliver a stronger, fairer and brighter future of work for Britain.”
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “It is our mission to get the economy moving and create the long term, sustainable growth that people and businesses across the country need. Our plan will give the world of work a much needed upgrade, boosting pay and productivity.
“The best employers know that employees are more productive when they are happy at work. That is why it’s vital to give employers the flexibility they need to grow whilst ending unscrupulous and unfair practices.
“This upgrade to our laws will ensure they are fit for modern life, raise living standards and provide opportunity and security for businesses, workers and communities across the country.”