Employment Rights Bill debated by Lords

The Employment Rights Bill aims to update and enhance existing employment rights, make provision regarding pay and conditions in particular sectors, as well as make reforms in relation to trade union matters and industrial action. Major topics of the bill include:

• Zero hours contracts
• Fire and rehire
• Flexible working
• Unfair dismissal.

Debate on the draft law 

During second reading, members discuss the main topics in the bill and highlight concerns or specific areas where they think amendments (changes) are needed. 

Members speaking  

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour), Minister for Legislation at the Department for Business and Trade, opened the debate and responded on behalf of the government. 

Members speaking in the debate included: 

• Lord Balfe (Conservative), former Conservative Party Envoy for the Trades Union Movement
• Baroness Bousted (Labour), former General Secretary of the National Education Union
• Lord Fox (Liberal Democrat), Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Business)
• Lord Hendy (Labour), Vice President of the Industrial Law Society
• Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway (Labour), former General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress
• Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative), shadow minister for the Department for Business and Trade.

Catch up

• Watch the debate on Parliament TV. 
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.  

Explore further information

• Find out more about the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing. 

Next steps

Committee stage, line by line examination of the bill, is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 29 April.

Image: Alex Kotliarskyi / Unsplash