Angela Rayner is taking direct action to accelerate the government's flagship workers' rights legislation, following what Labour MPs describe as "considerable anger" over delays in the House of Lords.
Amendment Aims for Faster Implementation
The former deputy prime minister will lay an amendment in the Commons on Wednesday, aiming to bring forward a key change to the bill. The core proposal is to implement a reduced qualifying period for protection against unfair dismissal by early next year, rather than the planned date of 2027.
This comes after Rayner and the government accepted a compromise to remove the promised "day-one" rights, replacing them with a shorter qualifying period. The period will be cut from two years to six months, a significant reduction but a departure from the original manifesto pledge.
Bypassing Consultation to Speed Up Delivery
Rayner, who is working on the amendment with former employment minister Justin Madders, will argue that the change does not require a lengthy consultation process. Her case is that since the new system is simply a shortening of the current arrangements, it can be implemented "much faster" without the need for employers to familiarise themselves with a wholly new process.
A Labour source close to the discussions stated there was a "growing consensus" within the parliamentary party to strengthen the bill and implement it more quickly after perceived "intransigence" from peers. "They will be spearheading efforts to ensure the best possible package of reform is delivered and implemented to an ambitious timeline," the source said.
Drawing a Line in the Sand
The compromise was reached after trade unions expressed concerns that an alternative nine-month probation period was unworkable and would require consultation. Unions did secure the lifting of the compensation cap for claims, a major win.
However, many Labour MPs are furious that Conservative and Liberal Democrat peers forced the watering down of day-one rights, a direct breach of the party's election manifesto. One MP involved said: "This can’t be the thin end of the wedge and we won’t let it be. Not only can there be no more watering down, but there is now growing appetite to go further and faster."
The bill, which also includes measures for zero-hours contract workers and fines for employers blocking union access, returns to the Commons next week. MPs hope to vote on Rayner's amendment then, with backers confident of significant support to fast-track these crucial employment rights to millions of workers.
