Keir Starmer has praised a new law aimed at enhancing workers’ rights for those who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to keep the country functioning.
In an article for The Mirror, the Prime Minister highlighted a set of new provisions, including the entitlement to sick pay starting from the first day of illness, as a step towards modernizing the workplace.
Following the Lords’ approval earlier this week, the Employment Rights Bill secured royal assent on Thursday, marking the conclusion of months of deadlock. The majority of the regulations are set to become enforceable starting April 2026.
In commemorating this significant development, Mr. Starmer emphasized the vital role played by various professionals, such as cleaners, carers, nurses, engineers, and teachers, underscoring the importance of respecting and acknowledging their contributions through the implementation of the new legislation.
During the final session before the Christmas recess, Members of Parliament cheered as Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle announced the formal approval of the Employment Rights Bill by the King, signifying the culmination of the legislative process.
Angela Rayner, the former Deputy PM who championed the Bill in government, lauded the achievement as a historic milestone delivered collectively by the Labour movement, emphasizing the party’s commitment to supporting the workforce against attempts to obstruct progress.
The new law introduces a range of enhanced rights for workers, including immediate access to paternity leave and sick pay from the onset of illness. Additionally, it prohibits exploitative zero-hours contracts and puts an end to ‘fire and rehire’ practices that allow employers to dismiss and rehire workers on unfavorable terms.
According to the Department for Business and Trade, over 15 million workers are set to benefit from the various provisions outlined in the legislation, with an estimated 32,000 more fathers and partners gaining the opportunity to take paternity leave annually.
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak hailed the enactment of the Employment Rights Act as a significant advancement for millions of workers, describing it as the most substantial enhancement of workers’ rights in a generation. He highlighted the importance of the new legislation in aligning the UK closer to European standards on workers’ rights, emphasizing the long-standing advocacy efforts by unions and workers to secure these rights.