Firms fear looming minimum wage rise and workers’ rights package September 9, 2024 The survey makes apparent the extent of business concern over the new deal for workers, which is one of the most controversial aspects of Labour's legislative agenda.
Majority of business managers back improved workers’ rights, survey shows September 7, 2024 Most employers support government plans to strengthen workers’ rights, new research has suggested. A survey of 1,000 managers indicated more than two in three believed the rights of workers should be improved. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Persuasion UK said their study suggested that among [...]
Workers’ rights fines will harm growth and jobs, small businesses warn September 3, 2024 The government risks “reversing economic growth” and disincentivising hiring if it pursues plans to issue “punitive” fines to businesses that breach its workers’ rights plan, industry leaders have warned. Businesses face paying thousands of pounds in fines if they fall foul of the new protections that Labour are hoping to introduce, it was revealed on [...]
Supermarket and McDonald’s bosses to meet ministers over workers’ rights reforms September 2, 2024 Bosses from UK supermarkets and McDonald’s are set to meet government ministers to be updated on plans for new laws around workers rights. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds will join John Lewis CEO Nish Kankiwala; Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts; Claire Costello, chief people and inclusion officer at the Co-Op; and [...]
‘Right to disconnect’ plans must offer firms flexibility, experts warn August 20, 2024 The government’s plan to give workers the ‘right to disconnect’ must offer companies some flexibility when it comes to implementing the changes, experts have warned. Staff who are frequently contacted by their bosses outside of their work day could be granted thousands more in compensation cash from employment tribunals under new worker reforms, The Times [...]
Workers rights: Ministers meet unions but warned on ‘unintended consequences’ of reform August 15, 2024 Unions and employers have met with the government to discuss new plans for workers rights but it comes as ministers are warned against “unintended consequences” of reforms. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds met unions and businesses on Wednesday to kick-start Labour’s work on employment rights. Rayner hailed the meeting as [...]
Britain’s paltry paternity leave is yet another thing pricing out parenthood August 10, 2024 Two weeks of paternity leave places Britain firmly near the bottom of fatherly league tables. It’s time to extend it, writes Cameron Smith After months of nervous anticipation for your first child’s arrival, the best-laid plans often go awry. As a new dad, you’ll listen closely to the birth plan your partner carefully arranges with [...]
The Notebook: Too many people are leaving the UK workforce. Here’s how to help July 23, 2024 Where the City’s movers and shakers have their say. Today, James Reed, CEO of Reed, takes the pen to talk about the UK workforce and how Labour can help lower economic inactivity How Labour can fight economic inactivity If I was in the new government, top of my in-tray would be the problem of economic [...]
King’s Speech: Starmer to ‘level up’ workers’ rights with employment reforms July 17, 2024 Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to “level up workers’ rights” via a series of employment reforms included in the King’s Speech.
OBR, workers rights and planning: What to watch out for in the King’s Speech? July 16, 2024 Labour will set out their programme for government on Wednesday, when King Charles will deliver the King’s Speech as part of the state opening of Parliament.