Latest news with #EmploymentBill
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK retailers weigh in on new employment rights roadmap
The UK government has unveiled a roadmap for the Employment Rights Bill, aiming to enhance protections for around half of the country's workforce and bring greater clarity for employers. The retail sector, a major employer in the UK, has issued measured reactions to the proposals, emphasising the need for balance between workers' rights and business certainty. The government's Employment Rights Bill roadmap sets out plans to update and extend workers' rights in response to the evolving labour market. It focuses on providing clearer definitions around employment status, simplifying employment law, and improving protections for workers in flexible or gig economy roles. The objective is to offer more certainty to both employees and employers, reducing disputes and ensuring fair treatment across sectors. The proposals include new rights for a significant portion of workers who currently fall outside traditional employment protections, as well as measures aimed at streamlining the regulatory environment for businesses. The government's announcement stresses a dual goal of improving worker security while maintaining economic competitiveness. The British Retail Consortium (BRC), representing UK retail businesses, welcomed the government's intention to provide certainty for employers but urged caution regarding the potential operational impact. Helen Dickinson, BRC Chief Executive, acknowledged the positive intent behind the roadmap, stating that 'clarity and fairness for workers is vital.' She recognised the government's attempt to address the changing nature of work and called for practical implementation that avoids unintended consequences for retailers. Dickinson highlighted the scale and diversity of the retail workforce, noting the sector's reliance on a range of employment types, including part-time and flexible contracts. She stressed the importance of ensuring that new legislation 'supports the flexible working patterns that many retail workers rely on.' The BRC emphasised that reforms should avoid introducing additional complexity or costs that could hinder retailers' ability to manage their workforce effectively. In her detailed comments, Helen Dickinson addressed several key areas of the roadmap. She welcomed efforts to simplify employment status definitions, saying this 'could reduce confusion and legal disputes.' However, she cautioned that any changes must be carefully designed to avoid increasing costs or risks for employers, which could impact retail sector stability. Dickinson also pointed to the need for clear guidance and transition arrangements to help businesses adapt to new regulations without disruption. The BRC supports the government's stated goal of balancing enhanced rights for workers with a regulatory framework that does not stifle business growth or flexibility. Finally, Dickinson called for ongoing dialogue between government and industry to ensure that reforms meet the practical needs of both workers and employers in the retail sector. She said, 'Engagement will be essential to create policies that protect workers while sustaining the sector's vital contribution to the UK economy.' The roadmap for the Employment Rights Bill marks a significant step in updating UK labour law, with the retail industry watching closely to see how changes will affect its workforce and operations. As the government progresses with consultations and legislative development, retailers will continue to voice the need for workable solutions that balance rights and responsibilities. "UK retailers weigh in on new employment rights roadmap" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Tories vow to scrap Labour's workers' rights Bill
The Conservatives have pledged to scrap Labour's workers' rights Bill if they return to office. Kemi Badenoch 's party has vowed to rip up key parts of Angela Rayner's flagship reforms, warning the plans would 'grind our economy to a halt '. The Deputy Prime Minister was warned that her Employment Rights Bill will hurt economic growth and plunge Britain's employment tribunal system into chaos by allowing spurious claims. The Bill would hand staff the right to take employers to tribunal for unfair dismissal from day one instead of having to wait two years. The proposals would also allow shorter notice for industrial action, place fewer controls on strike ballots and create a new quango called the Fair Work Agency to act on complaints. Speaking at the Prosperity Institute on Thursday, Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, will warn that the Bill would 'hand enormous power to trade unions who grind our economy to a halt'. Mr Griffith's pledge to dismantle the proposals comes as the Tories set out a limited range of policies under Mrs Badenoch. The vow to tear up Ms Rayner's plans is one of a handful of clear commitments about what the party would do in office, with the Tory leader preferring to focus on 'first principles' so far away from the next election. Mrs Badenoch has also promised to reverse Labour's tax raid on private schools and undo their changes to agricultural property relief, which critics have warned will cripple thousands of family farms. In his speech, Mr Griffith will commit to setting up a new Backing Business Advisory Board to help shape the business policies of a future Conservative government. He is expected to say: 'In a complete inversion of the Labour Cabinet, everyone on it will have worked in or set up a business. 'With their guidance, we will finally wield the scythe against the red tape that holds business back and makes us all poorer.' He will promise to deliver a 'genuinely world-beating offer' for wealth creators and entrepreneurs, adding: 'We know that you don't make the poor richer by making the rich poorer. 'We will not only undo the damage Labour is doing now, we will put forward a plan that makes this country the best in the world to invest and build wealth.' Relations between the Conservatives and business leaders were damaged in the wake of Liz Truss's mini-Budget, which spooked markets. They were put under further strain after a series of tax rises that led to Rishi Sunak overseeing the highest tax burden since the Second World War – a burden that has since risen by tens of billions more under Labour. 'Work begins now' Mr Griffith will say: 'The work to once again make the Conservative Party the party of business begins today. There is no way back to government without this. 'It won't be easy and it will not be done with sugar rush or press release politics. Instead, we will do the hard work needed to be worthy of your trust. 'We will take a relentless and serious-minded focus on how to remove regulations that impede growth, especially the heavy cost of compliance.' The Tories have continued to struggle in the polls, with several surveys this week showing that Reform UK and Labour are outperforming them. Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, responded to the Tories' proposal by accusing the party of wanting to 'dismantle' workers' rights. Mr Reynolds said: 'Kemi Badenoch is crystal clear. She will strip working people of sick pay, backs fire and rehire, and thinks maternity pay is 'excessive'. 'The Conservatives' cruel plans would devastate family finances. It's the same old Tories. They haven't changed and you simply can't trust them to put the working people of Britain first. 'Through our Labour Government's Plan for Change, three million of the lowest paid have had a pay boost. We're going further by cracking down on rogue bosses and giving workers more rights at work – which is good for productivity and good for economic growth.'
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starmer's family business death tax won't help keep us safe
To govern is to choose. And this week we have heard ad nausem from Sir Keir Starmer about the tough choices he claims he is having to make to fund our islands' defence. Or rather presumably would have to make in order to get to a firm 3 per cent of GDP in this Parliament rather than the equivocal 3 per cent at the end of the next one he will not even commit to. But amidst the menu of choices, like the Chagos surrender costing our forces £100 million a year, there's one very easy choice that would pay back on many levels. To reverse his family business (and family farm) death tax. This prejudiced decision may turn out, according to new analysis, to cost more money than it raises, punishes aspiration and risks wiping out centuries-old businesses in a single parliamentary term. New independent research published by CBI economics confirmed in another example of Rachel Reeves's dodgy accountancy that this one tax will put 200,000 jobs at risk and lower the size of the wider economy by £15 billion. The Prime Minister must not go ahead with it. Family businesses represent years of work, skills and investments made, passed down carefully through generations. They currently receive relief on inheritance tax when passing it down to the next custodians. This is a feature introduced by a previous Labour government to ensure the success of a constituent part of the economy providing 14 million jobs in the UK. But this is an anti-business government, driven by what works in socialist screeds rather than the shop floor. So, it's no wonder Starmer and his ministers are intent on attacking them. The Cabinet don't have any real business experience between them – the Business Secretary [Jonathan Reynolds] embarrassingly lied on his CV even about being a qualified lawyer – and it shows. Labour came into the general election promising not to tax working people, but that is exactly what they are doing. This is a small business death tax, which will be paid for in the jobs of working people. While some businesses' assets may be valuable on paper, they don't equate to hard cash. There are plenty of family businesses for whom being forced to sell assets (like machinery) on the factory floor will mean emptying the factory floor. They're asset rich but cash poor – and they'll be forced to shut up shop. This is the latest in a long line of decisions aimed squarely at punishing wealth creators and risk takers by a government that at the most charitable interpretation doesn't know about business interests, nor foresee the outcome of their assaults on business. All the more reason to listen when independent forecasters say your numbers are wrong. More shockingly, what started as a pre-election prawn cocktail offensive aimed at charming business has become an all-out war on private enterprise. Because this is only the start. The Employment Bill, which will do the exact opposite of what it says on the tin, is costing businesses £5 billion and allows trade unions to reconquer private businesses. Many of those who won't be able to cope with its hundreds of pages more regulations will be the same small, family businesses already suffering under the burden of the death tax. As part of my role as shadow business secretary, I have been going around the country engaging with businesses from the biggest automotive firms to village shops. All seriously worried about what this government will do next. It is no wonder that there has been an exodus of wealth creators since Starmer has taken office. Last year, over 10,000 millionaires fled Labour's socialist attacks on businesses and wealth creators. The tax bills they took with them are the equivalent of losing 300,000 average taxpayers. These are ambitious, courageous people, many of them entrepreneurs who have choices – and they're not choosing Labour's Britain. These people create jobs, drive growth, and pay for our public services. We will all be worse off without them. But still, Reeves dogmatically ploughs on, not paying attention to the warning lights on the dashboard flashing red or the millionaires leaving every 45 minutes. It is a stark reminder of what socialists are capable of when they get their hands of the levers of power. The Conservatives understand family businesses and wealth creators because so many of us have worked in the private sector. While other parties fight over who can spend the fastest more taxpayers' money we cannot afford, we continue to advocate for government that spends only within its means and balances its books without fiddling the rules. That means making the genuinely tough choices that will prioritise defence over ballooning welfare costs. We know that those who start businesses are taking a risk. We need to create a society where people aren't afraid to fail and are rewarded for those risks when they pay off. At the very least, those who start family businesses should know that they are able to pass their business down to the next generation. Unless the Prime Minister sees sense soon, Britain's legion of quietly successful family business will be consigned to the dustbin of history and our future with them. Andrew Griffith is the Conservative shadow business and trade secretary Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. 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Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Deputy PM Angela Rayner rules out running for Labour leader - 'never'
Deputy PM Angela Rayner says it's the 'honour of my life' to be in her current role and delivering on housing and workers' rights is 'everything I could dream of' Angela Rayner has ruled out running to be leader of the Labour Party as she hit back at speculation over her future. The Deputy PM said it was the "honour of my life" to be in her current role and delivering on housing and workers' rights was "everything I could dream of". Told there were people in the party who believed she had an "eye on the top job" one day, she told BBC: "I do not want to run for leader of the Labour Party." Asked to rule it out, she replied: "I rule it out. I'm absolutely focused on working with the PM and the Cabinet. "This is the honour of my life. To do the job I'm doing, to represent my constituents in Ashton-under-Lyne and to finally have an opportunity to build the council houses we need, to put money in working people's pockets, and to support what we're doing through our Employment Bill, that's everything I could dream of." She also told Sky News: "I don't want to be leader of the Labour Party - I'm very happy and honoured to be Deputy Prime Minister of this country. I've got a lot in my in-tray to prove I can do the job I'm doing and deliver on the milestones for the people of this country. I have no desire to go for the leadership of the Labour Party." Asked to say the word never, she replied: "Never." The Deputy PM was asked by Sky News to dispel suggestions she may have been behind the leak of a memo to the Chancellor, in order to grow support for a future leadership bid. In response, Ms Rayner denied leaking the document, which reportedly proposed to Rachel Reeves a host of taxes on wealthier people ahead of the Spring Statement in March. She added a leak inquiry was now underway. According to the Telegraph, it was suggested by Ms Rayner's department the Treasury should increase tax rates paid on dividends and reinstate the pensions lifetime allowance. The allowance limited how much savers could put in their pension pot before incurring a higher tax charge and was abolished under the Tories. Closing the commercial property stamp duty loophole and a higher corporation tax rate for banks was also proposed. The memo titled "alternative proposals for raising revenue" estimated eight changes could raise £3billion to £4billion a year. The proposals were not adopted by the Chancellor. Ms Rayner said: "I think there's one [leak inquiry] under way, and quite rightly so, because leaks are very damaging. It's really damaging, because we have lots of sensitive conversations in the round, all of us, and then we make a collective decision." The Deputy PM would not be drawn into saying whether she wanted to see taxes raised, as the memo suggested was needed. She told Sky News: "As a matter of principle, I will continue to have those conversations with our Government on how we can bring down the cost of living for working people, support children out of poverty, build the houses we said we're going to do and protect our borders and security."
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Gregor Poynton MP secures clarity on welfare reforms that will support Livingston constituents
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Gregor Poynton, Member of Parliament for the Livingston constituency, has secured important clarification from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding the government's proposed welfare reforms, following concerns raised by local constituents. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... During parliamentary questions, Mr. Poynton asked Secretary of State Liz Kendall to provide reassurance that reforms would genuinely help people into decent, secure work while protecting those who cannot work due to ill health or disability. The Secretary of State confirmed that the government's Employment Bill will focus on improving job quality, providing greater security, and creating more flexible working arrangements to benefit sick and disabled people. She highlighted a £1 billion investment in employment support aimed at ensuring disabled people have the opportunities they deserv Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking after the exchange, Mr. Poynton said: "Many Livingston residents have contacted me with concerns about the proposed welfare changes. I'm reassured by the Secretary of State's commitment that these reforms will create a fairer system that supports people into quality employment while protecting our most vulnerable citizens." Gregor Poynton MP speaking in the House of Common "The government is taking decisive action to fix a broken social security system inherited from the previous administration. Under the Conservatives, one in eight young people were left not in employment, education, or training. This government is committed to unlocking growth and putting social security spending on a sustainable footing as part of our Plan for Change." "For too long, the previous government wrote off millions of people, trapping them in inactivity and then blaming them for rising benefits costs rather than providing the support they needed. This approach denied people the benefits of good work, prevented businesses from accessing talent, and stunted economic growth." "These reforms are about building a system that is both fair and financially sustainable," Mr. Poynton continued. "Most importantly, they will ensure that those who genuinely cannot work receive the support they need to live with dignity and independence, while those who can work are given the right opportunities and expectations."
