Minister hints at roadmap for Employment Rights Bill

Employment rights minister indicates there will be a roadmap for employment law overhaul and introduction of first day rights, not an immediate rollout of all measures

Justin Madders, the minister responsible for the Employment Rights Bill, championed by deputy PM Angela Rayner, told delegates at the RECLive25 conference that the government was working on a roadmap for businesses for so they could plan for the various implementation dates.

While the overarching Bill, when passed, will set out the government’s new employment law framework, there will be a series of statutory instruments and guidance to support the measures, Madders stressed to the audience of employers and recruiters.

In terms of the ongoing legislative process, Madders said: ‘There will be some [of] what they call ping pong between the Commons and the Lords and we will see to where we end up. But It's really important to say that the bill reaching law does not mean that’s the end of the conversation, that doesn't mean everything is going to come in to effect the following day.

‘What we’re looking at is a period of time over the next few months and years to actually bring this legislation in piece by piece, but carrying on the dialogue with all stakeholders, with businesses, with trade unions and other interested parties, to make sure that we get the detail right.

‘So, I know that whilst the bill is huge, it’s got lots of really important things in it. The real work it feels like we've done. Plenty of learning. The real work is, is about getting that, that secondary level right.’

This marked an acknowledgement by the government that this sweeping Bill will need careful consideration with supporting legislation before it is implemented to ensure it works as expected without unexpected consequences.

Madders was questioned on the timetable for implementation with businesses concerned about when the new rules will come into force.

Neil Carberry, chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) asked: ‘Am I rightly thinking that we could expect towards the summer, maybe, to see a bit more clarity on the time scales for implementation?’

In a brief response, Madders said: ‘Yes, we are hoping to.’

Commenting after the event, Carberry tried to reassure employers and businesses on the scope of the proposals, saying the legislation is not yet finalised.

‘The Employment Rights Bill is complex but there is a risk of business overreacting to something that is not fully formed,’ Carberry said.

‘The commitment by the minister to a roadmap on its implementation will calm businesses because the ghost of this Bill is hanging over businesses’ hiring and investing.

‘Giving some time and space to businesses to adjust is incredibly important given the heavy economic headwinds. The minister’s offer of more certainty on timing is great, but this is not an alternative to changes that address the challenges in the Bill. We need both.’