Kate Dearden MP: Fair pay and rights for workers

Kate Dearden MP writes: It is this pride in our industry and this respect for our workers that has been the driving force behind the government’s transformative Employment Rights Bill, which I am delighted has been introduced within our first 100 days in government. As the former head of Policy at trade union, Community, I know that Labour’s plans will make a real difference to workers’ lives, lifting workers in Halifax out of insecurity and ensuring their work is valued with fair pay and rights that are embedded.

This Bill will implement 28 individual reforms ensuring workers get rights from day one, such as protection from unfair dismissal, parental rights and bereavement leave, strengthen statutory sick pay, and end exploitative zero hours contracts and fire and re-hire.

Between 2021 and 2023, under the Conservatives, the National Minimum Wage increased by less than inflation (CPI) and workers’ rights were stripped away, under their Minimum Service Levels Bill. For far too long now, workers and businesses alike have lacked the support and signals from government, and I am pleased that Labour are taking steps to change this.

As we seek to get our economy stable and back on its feet, after 14 years of Tory chaos which saw a decline in investor confidence, costs spiralling and mortgage prices rising, this new Bill will not only set the standard for good businesses in the UK, but it will increase productivity, security and boost our employment market, helping to fill gaps in previously languishing sectors.

Importantly, this Bill also reflects Labour’s forward-thinking attitude to the realities of our changing world, as it will make the workplace more compatible with people’s lives and flexible working.

I know businesses in Halifax often lead the way on employment rights, innovative thinking and best practice. So alongside protecting working people, this Bill will support good employers by ensuring everyone plays by the same rules and that there are clear expectations from employees too. Just this week the Government launched a consultation to hear how this legislation can best be applied whilst also protecting the vital SMEs that our town relies upon. Our government is serious about working closely with businesses to listen to their needs and concerns and so far, our engagement has been praised by organisations such as Sainsbury’s, the Confederation of British Industry and trade groups like UK Hospitality, whose workers are so often affected by insecure hours. Please do write to me or contribute to the consultation so we can hear your voices.

Our government will not stop here either, as we have announced that for the first time, the Low Pay Commission will factor the cost of living when deciding the rate of the Minimum Wage and Living Wage which during a cost-of-living crisis, is needed more than ever.

As we grow the economy, we will always ensure that we bring workers and businesses along with us, to ensure we build a thriving economy that works for all.