How the Employment Rights Bill will deliver for Stockport
The Employment Rights Bill represents the most significant overhaul of workplace rights in a generation, and it is set to deliver real benefits to workers in Stockport and across Britain. As your Member of Parliament, I am proud to support this Bill, which will ensure a fairer, more secure future for workers. I want to highlight how this Bill will benefit the people of Stockport.
Tackling Insecurity and Exploitation
In Stockport, too many workers face the insecurity of zero-hours contracts, the threat of being unfairly dismissed, and a lack of proper protections at work. This Bill will end exploitative practices like zero-hours contracts and the damaging fire-and-rehire tactics that have been all too common in recent years.
The Bill will also introduce Day 1 rights for workers, ensuring that from their very first day, they have access to key protections. This includes rights to paternity leave, parental leave, and bereavement leave, which will provide much-needed support to workers in Stockport balancing work and family responsibilities.
Strengthening Worker Protections
Stockport families will also benefit from strengthened statutory sick pay, ensuring that workers can take time off to recover from illness without the financial strain of losing income. For the 1.7 million people across the UK who are currently out of the labour market to care for their family or home, new policies on flexible working will allow many more to re-enter the workforce with the support they need to balance work and life.
For pregnant workers and new parents, the Employment Rights Bill provides vital protections. Every year, around 4,000 pregnant women and mothers returning from maternity leave are unfairly dismissed. With the new protections in place, they will no longer have to face such discrimination, ensuring greater security and fairness at work.
Improving Pay and Conditions
The Bill will also raise the bar for pay and conditions, with Fair Pay Agreements that will help ensure workers are paid properly for their work. The Fair Work Agency will be established to ensure that employers comply with the rules on holiday pay and fair wages, giving workers the confidence that their rights will be upheld.
With this Bill, Labour is raising the floor on workplace rights, making the future of work in Stockport and across the UK fairer for everyone. As your MP, I will continue to stand up for the rights of workers and ensure that these vital reforms bring real change to those who need it most.
I am a proud trade union member and I would encourage everyone to join a trade union. To find out which trade union is right for you, the TUC have created a tool - https://www.tuc.org.uk/joinunion