Concerns aired to minister

ROSSENDALE and Darwen MP Andy MacNae has taken the concerns of local businesses over planned new legislation on workers’ rights to a cabinet minister.

- BY BILL JACOBS

Mr MacNae had promised to flag up their worries to the government in response to an open letter from small firm bosses expressing their fears about the new Employment Rights Bill.

Last week, a consortium of 14 Rossendale business leaders, representing more than 1,500 jobs in the Valley, signed an open letter to him warning the bill could undermine economic growth.

Their concerns included allowing employees to bring unfair dismissal claims from day one of employment; the introduction of statutory sick pay from the first day of absence; and its granting of extensive powers to a newly-proposed Fair Work Agency, including the authority to enter business premises and prosecute employers.