Labour's flagship workers' rights bill set to become law

Labour's flagship workers' rights reforms are set to become law after peers called a halt to their extended stand-off over the controversial plans.

- DAVID MADDOX POLITICAL EDITOR

The climbdown by opponents in the Lords is a much-needed victory for Sir Keir Starmer who took to X (formerly Twitter) to He posted: “We did it. We have just introduced the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. Today our plans passed through parliament, and will soon become law. This is a major victory for working people in every part of the country.

“It means that Labour’s election pledge to restore trade union rights to pursue industrial action as well as giving employees day one sick leave and maternity rights will become law.”

The victory for Sir Keir’s government though is overshadowed by warnings from businesses that it will lead to a further decrease in employment and prevent growth.

Already many businesses are struggling with the hike in employers’ national insurance contributions, with figures showing unemployment has risen beyond 5 per cent.

But trade unions have hailed the legislation, originally championed by former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, despite last-minute compromises to get it through the Lords.