London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jun 30, 2025

Backlash as workers' rights left out of Queen's Speech

Backlash as workers' rights left out of Queen's Speech

The omission of measures to improve workers' rights from the Queen's Speech has been criticised.

Unions accused the government of "turning its back" on workers while industry groups said they were disappointed the bill had been omitted.

Flexible working rights, protections against pregnancy discrimination, and rights for staff to keep all tips had been hoped for in an Employment Bill.

Plans for the bill were first announced by the government in 2019.

A planned Employment Bill was first announced in the Queen's Speech in December 2019, but no firm legalisation has been brought forward to date.

There had been concerns that workers' rights could be watered down after the UK left the EU, and worries about treatment of employees in the gig economy had also led to calls for reform.

TUC head Frances O'Grady said the lack of the Employment Bill in Tuesday's Queen's Speech meant "vital rights that ministers had promised - like default flexible working, fair tips and protection from pregnancy discrimination - risk being ditched for good".

She claimed by shelving the legislation, ministers had "sent a signal that they are happy for rogue employers to ride roughshod over workers' rights," adding it would see "bad bosses celebrating".

When first announced, the bill had promised:

*  the creation of a single enforcement body, offering greater protections for workers

*  making sure that tips left for workers go to them in full

*  all workers would have the right to ask for a more predictable contract

*  redundancy protections would be extended to prevent pregnancy and maternity discrimination

*  parents allowed to take extended leave for neonatal care

*  entitlement to one week's leave for unpaid carers

*  subject to consultation, the bill also proposed making flexible working the default unless employers have good reason not to.

The government said it had a "strong track record in supporting workers" as well as "protecting and enhancing their rights".

"Our ambitious legislative programme includes a comprehensive set of bills which enable us to deliver on priorities like growing the economy, which will in turn help address rising living costs and get people into good jobs," it added.

Although there was no Employment Bill announced,the speech the government did confirm plans to introduce legislation banning ferries from docking at UK ports if workers aren't being paid the equivalent of National Minimum Wage.

The move comes after P&O Ferries' sacked 800 seafarers without notice.

The Department for Transport said the Harbours Bill aimed to deter companies from repeating P&O Ferries' actions, by closing loopholes used by some firms operating in and out of UK ports.

The British Ports Association said the policy could work, but said it wasn't happy that ports were being asked to enforce it.


Pregnancy protection call


Ros Bragg, director of maternity rights charity Maternity Action, said she was "deeply disappointed and frustrated" that the Employment Bill did not feature in the Queen's Speech.

She said pregnant women and new mothers needed "urgent legal protections from unfair redundancies", which she said had "dramatically increased" since the coronavirus pandemic.

She called on ministers to adopt the bill put forward by former cabinet minister Maria Miller, who has proposed legalisation to prevent firms from sacking women during pregnancy or six months afterwards.

"We'd also urge strengthening legal protections for insecure workers - who are predominantly women, and who are currently bearing the brunt of the poverty crisis," Ms Bragg added.

"Ministers have promised women stronger legal protection, and they now need to urgently deliver on that promise."

Neil Carberry, chief executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, said it was "incredibly disappointing" the government had "chosen to kick the Employment Bill into the long grass again".

"It is now two and a half years since the Employment Bill was first promised, and five years since the Taylor review into modern working practices - the government must prove its commitment to this issue and bring forward this bill as soon as possible."

Verity Davidge, director of policy at manufacturing organisation Make UK, said: "Business will be frustrated that, yet again, three years after having promised it there was no Employment Bill. This is a major omission given how fast the world of work is changing, a trend accelerated by the pandemic."


'Missed opportunity'


Meanwhile, Ben Willmott, head of policy for the CIPD, which represents HR professionals, said the omission of the bill left the government with "very little time to meet its promises to protect and enhance workers' rights".

Mr Willmott added it was a "missed opportunity" to protect workers rights, particular those in lower paid jobs dealing with rising household costs.

"The recent sacking of workers, without notice, by P&O Ferries shows that much more needs to be done to ensure unscrupulous employers cannot ignore their legal responsibilities and undercut employment standards in the UK," he said

"It will also be hugely disappointing for working carers that there is no progress on legislating to give them new rights to take time off to manage their caring responsibilities."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
×