Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill

Business and Trade Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 31 Oct 2024 Closed: 29 Apr 2026 Parliament page
The newly re-formed Business and Trade Committee is launching its first call for evidence on the Government’s new flagship Employment Rights Bill . The new Government has announced a comprehensive overhaul of employment law in what it is calling the ‘biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.’ The ‘Plan … Read more
16 Recommendations
5 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
40 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 48 events
22 Apr
2026
Correspondence
15 Apr
2026
Correspondence
11 Mar
2026
Correspondence
11 Mar
2026
Correspondence
11 Feb
2026
Correspondence
11 Feb
2026
Correspondence
26 Nov
2025
Correspondence
4 Nov
2025
Correspondence
16 Sep
2025
Correspondence
8 Sep
2025
Correspondence
17 Jul
2025
Correspondence
10 Jul
2025
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
14 Jan 2025
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Alessandro Dudech · Uniqlo Andy Brown · Frasers Group Hugo Martin · Evri Mr Paddy Lillis · Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) Neil Carberry · Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Paul Bedford · Deliveroo
7 Jan 2025
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Alistair Macrow · McDonalds, UK and Ireland Andrew Opie · The British Retail Consortium Claire Lorains · Tesco Eleanor Lyons Leonard Klenner · Temu Margaret Beels OBE · Department for Business and Trade Stephen Heary · Temu Yinan Zhu · SHEIN
17 Dec 2024
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Amanda Gearing · GMB Union Ben Willmott · Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Beverley Fairbank · Jaguar Land Rover Dominic Johnson · BAE Systems Jennifer Kearney · Amazon UK and Ireland Matthew Percival · Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Murray Paul · Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Nicola Smith · Trades Union Congress (TUC) Stuart Morgan · Amazon Logistics
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill HC 370 3 Mar 2025 21 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
21 results
1 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Define reference periods for the right to guaranteed hours in regulations.
Without a reference period defined in primary legislation, there is a lack of certainty among workers, trade unions and businesses as to how the right to guaranteed hours will work in practice. To ensure certainty, the Government should define as … Read more
Government Response
The government has announced that the initial reference period for the right to guaranteed hours will be 12 weeks and intends to consult on the length of subsequent reference periods before making secondary legislation to provide clarity.
Department for Business and Trade
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2 Recommendation Accepted in Part
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Embed definitions of 'reasonable notice' and 'moved' shifts into primary legislation.
While the Committee welcomes the added security for workers that the Bill brings with measures to provide reasonable notice of shifts and compensation for cancelled, moved or curtailed shifts. But the lack of key details on the face of the … Read more
Government Response
The government declines to put all requested definitions into primary legislation, stating they are more suited to secondary legislation for flexibility, but confirms the Bill states the short notice period will not exceed seven days and will consult on regulations for other definitions and worker groups.
Department for Business and Trade
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3 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Long-term agency work impacts security and risks zero-hours contract side-stepping.
While the Committee understands that certain workers like the flexibility that comes with agency work and that it can be used as a legitimate short- term employment tool for many businesses, we are concerned about the impact long-term agency work … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that agency workers should have certainty of hours and has brought forward amendments to the Employment Rights Bill to expand provisions for zero-hour measures to agency workers, with further regulations to be developed after consultation.
Department for Business and Trade
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4 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Use delegated powers to enhance protections for agency workers through zero-hours contract reform.
The Committee therefore urges the Government to use the delegated powers provided by the Bill to reform zero-hours contracts to enhance protections for agency workers as soon as possible. These reforms 36 should not be at the expense of the … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to extend contract certainty to agency workers to prevent them from becoming a loophole in zero-hours contract reforms, having already brought forward amendments to the Employment Rights Bill and committing to consult on further detailed regulations.
Department for Business and Trade
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5 Recommendation Rejected
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Remove the 'minimum number of hours' reference from the Employment Rights Bill.
Defining what counts as low-hours creates a loophole that can be exploited by companies to avoid their obligations set out in the Bill. We echo Usdaw’s recommendation that the reference to ‘a minimum number of hours, not exceeding a specified … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to remove the hours threshold, stating it is important to prevent unnecessary interference with existing arrangements and ensure the right is targeted. They will consult on the specific hours threshold for regulations.
Department for Business and Trade
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6 Recommendation Deferred
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Prioritise review of worker status and address false self-employment immediately.
While the Committee welcomes the Government’s plans to reform worker status and bogus self-employment, it must proceed at pace to turn ambition into action. If it does not, it risks more companies adopting a ‘self-employment’ model for their workforces to … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the complexity of the employment status framework and the issue of bogus self-employment but states that consulting on and implementing reforms to create a simpler framework is a longer-term goal that will take time, rather than prioritising it immediately alongside the Employment Rights Bill.
Department for Business and Trade
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7 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Publish plans to regulate the umbrella company market and tackle non-compliance.
While compliant umbrella companies can have many benefits to workers, there have been longstanding concerns across governments that the lack of regulation in the umbrella company market can lead to exploitative working practices. The evidence is overwhelming of the need … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees timely action is needed to regulate umbrella companies, has set out plans in response to a 2023 consultation, introduced an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, and committed to consult on a bespoke regulatory framework.
Department for Business and Trade
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8 Recommendation Rejected
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Revisit equality law enforcement regime, clarifying Fair Work Agency and EHRC roles to protect workers.
To ensure long-term enforcement of the new duties on employers introduced in the Employment Rights Bill, the Government should revisit the regime for enforcing equality law and harm against individual protected characteristics, including setting out how the Fair Work Agency … Read more
Government Response
The government states the EHRC will retain its current responsibility for enforcing equality law and the FWA's remit does not include equality legislation, therefore rejecting a broader review of the equality law enforcement regime, though it will consider how information sharing between bodies works in practice.
Department for Business and Trade
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9 Recommendation Acknowledged
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Task Acas with leading an information campaign to promote good employment practice compliance.
We recognise that there are a significant number of new employment rights that employers will need to understand and implement. We therefore call on the Government to consider how they use networks of employment support, both statutory and voluntary, to … Read more
Government Response
The government states it will consult on implementation details and ensure sufficient support, recognizing Acas as a valuable partner with whom it is already working closely, but does not explicitly commit to tasking Acas with leading an information campaign.
Department for Business and Trade
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10 Recommendation Acknowledged
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Develop a clear, long-term industrial relations strategy, credibly resourced and embedded through collaboration.
The Government’s framework for industrial relations provides strong principles that can help to shape a future settlement based on productive engagement between trade unions and employers. To develop this ambition, we recommend that the Government develops a clear and long- … Read more
Government Response
The government committed to exploring the development of an overarching industrial relations framework that will set out its vision and provide guidance, engaging with stakeholders in its formation, but does not commit to a specific long-term strategy with resourcing details.
Department for Business and Trade
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11 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Expand the Bill's definition of 'Access' to explicitly include a union's right to digital access.
More should be done to ensure that the new right of union access proposed in the Bill is protected against future changes to ways of working and the risk of non-compliance. We recommend that the Bill’s proposed definition of ‘Access’ … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation and has already amended the Employment Rights Bill to expand access rights to include digital access, also legislating against refusing physical access solely due to digital access, with further details to be outlined in secondary legislation after consultation.
Department for Business and Trade
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12 Recommendation Accepted in Part
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Amend Trade Union Act sections to improve recognition ballot complaint and limitation periods.
Given that an expected consequence of the Employment Right Bill may be greater recognition ballot activity within workplaces, it is essential that ministers amend section 27B of Schedule 1A of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 to … Read more
Government Response
The government is extending the time period for complaints related to an unfair practice during recognition ballots from one to five working days and will consult on a revised Code of Practice. However, it does not explicitly commit to shortening the limitation period for bargaining unit applications or to developing specific access agreement templates and better resourcing for businesses.
Department for Business and Trade
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13 Recommendation Accepted in Part
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Require transparency for recognition ballot spending and secure a long-term WERS replacement.
It is important that the impact of reform to industrial relations is both measurable and measured. We recommend that the Government bring transparency around industrial disputes in line with best practice elsewhere, including the United States, and requires parties involved … Read more
Government Response
The government is extending the time for complaints related to unfair practices during recognition ballots and will consult on a revised Code of Practice. It states it is wary of placing additional burdens for disclosure on parties but will work to ensure appropriate data monitoring, and is considering options for a WERS replacement, including monitoring the feasibility of a linked employer-employee database.
Department for Business and Trade
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14 Conclusion Deferred
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Significant inconsistency exists in Modern Slavery Statements' transparency, hindering informed consumer purchasing decisions.
Case studies reviewed by the Committee highlight a significant inconsistency in the transparency of Modern Slavery Statements. Although these statements may meet the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the lack of standardisation hinders consumers from making informed purchasing … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the inconsistency in Modern Slavery Statements and states it is considering how to strengthen the Section 54 regime, including reporting requirements, and will set out next steps in due course. It also notes updated statutory guidance has been published.
Department for Business and Trade
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15 Recommendation Deferred
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Review Modern Slavery Act Section 54, mandating reporting and introducing penalties for non-disclosure.
The Government must review the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and make changes to Section 54 to improve transparency. In particular the Government should: a. Change provision 54(5) such that the areas of reporting in modern slavery statements become mandatory. b. … Read more
Government Response
The government is considering strengthening Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act, including reporting requirements and penalties, and will set out next steps in due course, noting that significant reform will take time. Interim updated guidance has been published.
Department for Business and Trade
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16 Conclusion Acknowledged
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
UK risks becoming a 'dumping ground' for forced labour products without legislative reforms.
The UK is at serious risk of becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for products made with forced labour if it does not keep up with our global partners on legislative reforms to tackle modern slavery. (Conclusion, Paragraph 85)
Government Response
The government acknowledges the risk and its commitment to eradicating forced labour, stating it will continue to assess and monitor existing measures and emerging policy tools, and will consult stakeholders when considering further action.
Department for Business and Trade
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17 Recommendation Deferred
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Align UK legislation with global partners, introducing mandatory human rights due diligence and import bans.
The UK Government must look to align with global legislation, prioritising the introduction of mandatory Human Rights due diligence, to avoid duplicated efforts for UK businesses. The Government should also consider newer levers such as import bans on products from … Read more
Government Response
The government affirms its support for voluntary human rights due diligence approaches and states it will continue to assess and monitor existing measures and new international policy tools, consulting with stakeholders as it considers any further action on mandatory due diligence or import bans.
Department for Business and Trade
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18 Conclusion Acknowledged
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Effective labour market enforcement is crucial for strengthened worker rights and fair standards
Laws are only as effective as those who enforce them. If the Government wishes to ensure workers are given strengthened employment rights, and that all firms benefit from a level playing field for labour standards, effective labour market enforcement must … Read more
Government Response
The government is committed to effective labour market enforcement by balancing resources, expertise, and coordination, and will monitor the effectiveness and consider resources for the Fair Work Agency when developing its enforcement strategy and annual report.
Department for Business and Trade
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19 Recommendation Rejected
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Set out Fair Work Agency funding target to meet ILO inspector benchmark
The Committee welcomes the Government’s focus on labour market enforcement to tackle non-compliance. However, if the Fair Work Agency (FWA) is to be given new powers it will also need more resource. Efficiencies made from combining current budgets will not … Read more
Government Response
The government states that while inspector numbers are important, the focus is on effective enforcement and efficient resource use, and it does not commit to the ILO benchmark or to setting out a specific funding target, strategy, or timeline for the Fair Work Agency, promising only to consider resources when producing future reports.
Department for Business and Trade
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20 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Creation of Fair Work Agency must not dilute existing enforcement powers
It is crucial that the creation of the Fair Work Agency does not result in a dilution of the powers currently held by the three existing enforcement bodies. (Conclusion, Paragraph 98)
Government Response
The government asserts that the Fair Work Agency will not dilute existing powers but will inherit the full suite of investigatory powers from existing bodies and expand their reach, with the Employment Rights Bill upgrading enforcement and filling gaps in GLAA's remit.
Department for Business and Trade
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21 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - Make Work Pay: Employ…
Ensure Fair Work Agency has powers and resources to investigate labour exploitation
The Government must ensure that the Fair Work Agency has the necessary powers to deter non-compliance. It must have the authority to investigate all forms of labour exploitation, up to and including modern slavery, and be adequately resourced to fulfil … Read more
Government Response
The government states the Fair Work Agency will inherit and expand upon existing powers, including the ability to issue special warnings and enforce certain Fraud Act offences, thus strengthening its capacity to investigate a wider range of serious labour exploitation cases.
Department for Business and Trade
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Government Response AI assessment · 21 of 16 classified
Accepted 7
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 4
Rejected 3
Total 16 recs + 5 conclusions
Correspondence 40 letters
22 Apr 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection relating to the Non-Disclosure Agreements Consultation, 15 April 2026
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15 Apr 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection relating to the Trade Union access consultation and call for evidence on TUPE, 8 April 2026
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11 Mar 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection relating to the Government response to the unpaid internships call for evidence, 27 February 2026
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11 Mar 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection relating to further February consultation package for the Employment Rights Act, 26 February 2026
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11 Feb 2026 From committee Letter to the Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection relating to the Employment Rights Act consultation and implementation timeline, 22 January 2026
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11 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection relating to implementing the Employment Rights Act, 3 February 2026
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26 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection relating to the Employments Rights Bill consultation on Electronic and Workplace Balloting, 19 November 2025
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4 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection relating to Employment Rights Bill October Consultation Package, 23 October 2025
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16 Sep 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to the Employments Rights Bill, 15 September 2025
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8 Sep 2025 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State relating to the Employment Rights Bill, 8 September 2025
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17 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Financial Conduct Authority relating to Shein and the Integrity of the UK Listing Regime, 11 July 2025
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10 Jul 2025 From committee Letter to the Financial Conduct Authority relating to Shein and the UK listing regime, 10 July 2025
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3 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to the Modern Slavery Act, 19 May 2025
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29 Apr 2025 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State relating to the consistent application of forced labour bans across Government, 25 April 2025
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22 Apr 2025 To committee Letter from the GMB Union relating to the ongoing dispute with Bidfood, 14 April 2025
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27 Mar 2025 To committee Letter from Amazon relating to evidence given to the Committee, 27 January 2025
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18 Mar 2025 To committee Letter from Evri relating to issues raised by the Committee, 5 March 2025
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18 Mar 2025 To committee Letter from Domestic Angels Franchising Limited relating to the Committee’s third report in to the Employment Rights Bill, 7 March 2025
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4 Mar 2025 From committee Letter to Hugo Martin of Evri relating to allegations made to the Committee by Evri couriers, 27 February 2025
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25 Feb 2025 To committee Letter from SHEIN relating to additional information requested by the Committee, 7 February 2025
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25 Feb 2025 To committee Letter from Tesco relating to the onboarding process of a garment factory located in Mae Sot, Thailand, 11 February 2025
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25 Feb 2025 To committee Letter from the Chief Executive of FCA relating to questions asked of the listing process, 17 February 2025
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11 Feb 2025 To committee Letter from Deliveroo relating to their appearance before the Committee, 30 January 2025
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4 Feb 2025 From committee Letter to UNIQLO relating to their appearance at the oral evidence session on 14 January, 21 January 2025
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4 Feb 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets relating to the Employment Rights Bill, 29 January 2025
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4 Feb 2025 To committee Letter from UNIQLO relating to outstanding questions after the oral evidence session on 14 Janaury, 23 January 2025
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27 Jan 2025 From committee Letter to Shein regarding materials, products and working conditions in their supply chain, 27 January 2025
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27 Jan 2025 From committee Letter to the Financial Conduct Authority relating to further questions around the listing process, 27 January 2025
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24 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from the Financial Conduct Authority relating to their role in listings and legal checks, 17 January 2025
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24 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from the CEO of the London Stock Exchange relating to listing companies, 17 January 2025
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24 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from Shein in response to the Committee’s follow up questions, 20 January 2025
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21 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from Health and Safety Executive relating to Amazon's requirements under RIDDOR, 10 January 2025
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21 Jan 2025 From committee Letter to the Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets relating to ERB, 17 January 2025
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13 Jan 2025 From committee Letter to Shein regarding their appearance before the Committee in the evidence session on 7 January, 10 January 2025
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13 Jan 2025 From committee Letter to McDonald's regarding their appearance before the Committee in the evidence session on 7 January, 10 January 2025
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10 Jan 2025 From committee Letter to the Financial Conduct Authority regarding Shein's evidence to the Committee on 7 January, 9 January 2025
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10 Jan 2025 From committee Letter to the London Stock Exchange regarding Shein's evidence to the Committee on 7 January, 9 January 2025
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10 Jan 2025 From committee Letter to Amazon regarding their appearance before the Committee at the evidence session on 17 December, 20 December 2024
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7 Jan 2025 From committee Letter to the Health and Safety Executive relating to data issues surrounding Amazon UK, 20 December 2024
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7 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from Leigh Day to the Business and Trade Committee, 3 January 2025
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