A number of constituents have contacted me about the Employment Rights Bill.
I fully understand the desire for better protections in the workplace, especially around family-friendly policies and workers’ rights. The need to ensure that employees feel secure, valued, and respected is something I wholeheartedly support.
However, I have significant concerns about this particular Bill. While its intentions may seem positive on the surface, I worry that some of its provisions could, in practice, create unintended consequences for both workers and businesses. For instance, I fear that some of the measures may place undue burdens on smaller businesses, potentially leading to reduced job security and fewer opportunities in the long run.
Furthermore, I am concerned that the Bill’s approach to modernising trade union rules could end up weakening rather than strengthening the role of unions in protecting workers’ rights. I believe we need a balanced approach that promotes fairness and security without inadvertently undermining the flexibility that businesses, particularly smaller ones, need to thrive and grow.
I will always advocate for policies that improve workers’ conditions and safeguard jobs, but I cannot, in good conscience, support this Bill in its current form.
