UK Employment Rights Bill Clears Final Parliamentary Hurdle to Become Law

By John Pranay (Editor)

The UK government's flagship workers' rights legislation, the Employment Rights Bill, has cleared its final parliamentary hurdle and is set to become law before Christmas. The bill, which marks the most significant expansion of workers' rights in a generation, passed its final stage in the House of Lords after Conservative peer Lord Sharpe withdrew a last-minute amendment.

The Employment Rights Bill has been a contentious issue, with Labour and the Conservatives holding differing views on its impact. Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the bill's passage as a major victory for working people, while Conservative spokespersons criticized the timing of the legislation, arguing it risks damaging employment. Trade unions, however, welcomed the bill's passage, with TUC general secretary Paul Nowak describing it as a "historic day and an early Christmas present for working people across the country." The bill's measures include access to statutory sick pay and paternity leave from the first day of employment, strengthened protections for pregnant women and new mothers, and enhanced unfair dismissal protections after six months of employment.

• December 16, 2025: The Employment Rights Bill passes its final stage in the House of Lords after Conservative peer Lord Sharpe withdraws a last-minute amendment.

• December 16, 2025: The bill receives royal assent, marking its passage into law.

• Late 2026: The government is expected to issue consultation documents on the introduction of electronic ballotting and removal of turnout thresholds for industrial-action ballots.

• April 2026: Employment-law websites predict that the new measures on electronic ballotting and removal of turnout thresholds will come into effect.

The UK has a long history of workers' rights legislation, with previous laws such as the Trade Union Act 2016 and the Employment Rights Act 1996. However, the Employment Rights Bill marks a significant expansion of workers' rights, with measures aimed at improving job security, pay, and dignity at work. The bill's passage is a major victory for Labour, which has been pushing for stronger workers' rights since taking office.

The Employment Rights Bill is set to become law before Christmas, with most of its measures requiring secondary legislation before they come into force. The government will need to implement the reforms at speed, as trade unions have warned against further dilution or delay. The bill's passage also raises questions about the future of workers' rights in the UK, with potential implications for employment law and industrial relations.

Q: What are the key measures in the Employment Rights Bill?

A: The bill includes access to statutory sick pay and paternity leave from the first day of employment, strengthened protections for pregnant women and new mothers, and enhanced unfair dismissal protections after six months of employment.

Q: What is the significance of the bill's passage?

A: The bill's passage marks the most significant expansion of workers' rights in a generation, with measures aimed at improving job security, pay, and dignity at work.

Q: What are the potential implications of the bill's passage?

A: The bill's passage raises questions about the future of workers' rights in the UK, with potential implications for employment law and industrial relations.

Overall, the medium-term sentiment around this story is Bullish.

1. Employment Rights Bill clears final parliamentary hurdle and set to become law — https://bmmagazine.co.uk/news/employment-rights-bill-clears-final-parliamentary-hurdle/

2. Employment Rights Bill is law, but more battles to come — https://www.workersliberty.org/story/2025-12-16/employment-rights-bill-law-more-battles-come?language_content_entity=en

Methodology: This analysis combines real-time data aggregation from manually selected global sources with advanced AI synthesis, engineered to provide neutral and data-driven insights.