Workers' rights Business secretary condemns 'scaremongering' over new bill

The business secretary has condemned scaremongering around Labour's plans for an overhaul of workers' rights next month, saying the package will transform lives.

- Jessica Elgot

In an interview with the Guardian, Jonathan Reynolds said Labour would legislate next month for far stronger protection for pregnant employees, and begin consultation on plans for a more generous and modernised system for parental leave.

He also confirmed that the legislation would mean a maximum probation period of about six months at the vast majority of businesses, with workers given protection from unfair dismissal and rights to maternity and sick pay.

After months of detailed negotiations with businesses and trade unions over the "make work pay" plans, which will form next month's employment bill, Reynolds said there had "absolutely" been scaremongering over the plans and that headlines on French-style labour laws had been "pretty obviously wrong".

"This is really popular stuff," Reynolds said. "When you look at the flexible working stuff again, it couldn't really be more reasonable, what we're saying. I don't think it's onerous what we're putting forward, but I do think it will make a difference to people's lives."