‘We promised to deliver a New Deal for Working People in our first 100 days and as a proud trade unionist, I am thrilled to see we kept our word’-Margaret Mullane MP

Yesterday, Thursday 10 October, the government’s landmark Employment Rights Bill was presented to Parliament. This marked a historic step towards strengthening workplace rights, rebuilding industrial relations and raising living standards in Britain.

The key impacts of this Bill are monumental and far-reaching. Over 1 million workers on zero hours contracts will benefit from guaranteed hours and job security, 1.5 million parents will be brought into scope by making unpaid parental leave a day 1 right, and women returning from maternity leave will benefit from new protections. An estimated 9 million people will gain new rights against unfair dismissal and 1.7 million people who are out of work due to family commitments will be supported into employment with new policies on flexible working.

Margaret Mullane the Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham told the Havering Daily: 

“Today’s Employment Rights Bill represents the most substantial upgrade of workers rights in a generation. We promised to deliver a New Deal for Working People in our first 100 days of office, and as a proud trade unionist in a working class constituency I am thrilled to see we have kept our word. Labour promised to make work pay and I promised to deliver jobs you could raise a family on. This is the first step on that path. From ending exploitative zero-hours contracts to strengthening Statutory Sick Pay, this Bill will raise living standards across the country.

The only thing that grew in 14 years of Conservative rule were the queues outside foodbanks, our mortgage rates and the price of everyday essentials. Their scorched earth approach to industrial relations that led to the worst strikes chaos in decades. A new partnership of cooperation between trade unions, employers and government will ensure we benefit from more cooperation and less disruption.

Under the Conservatives wages stagnated, terms and conditions were watered down and productivity flatlined. As the party of work, Labour is raising the floor on workplace rights to deliver a stronger and fairer future and our plan to make work pay will improve economic growth in every corner of Britain. This mission started in earnest today with the presentation of the Employment Rights Bill.”

Alongside the Employment Rights Bill, a ‘Next Steps’ document for the Make Work Pay Plan has also been published today. The Next Steps document outlines the government’s vision and sets out their ambitions to grow the economy, raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all working alongside businesses, workers, and trade unions.

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.