Firms call on MP to seek employment rights change

MP for Rossendale and Darwen Andy MacNae is being urged by small business bosses to seek changes to the government's proposed Employment Rights Bill which they say threatens local job creation.

- BY BILL JACOBS

They have asked Mr MacNae, elected in July after defeating former Tory chairman Sir Jake Berry, to seek revisions to the legislation.

A total of 14 Rossendale business leaders representing more than 1,500 jobs in the Valley have signed an open letter to him warning that they believe the bill could undermine economic growth in the region.

It says: “We take pride in creating jobs and investing in Rossendale.

“But this Bill makes hiring riskier and running a business more challenging, especially for small enterprises.”

It raises concerns including:

Allowing employees to bring unfair dismissal claims from day one of employment;