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Labour ditches day-one protection from unfair dismissal in U-turn
The Government compromised on unfair dismissal rights to secure the Employment Rights Bill's passage, reducing the qualifying period to six months from the current 24 months.
- On Thursday, Ministers abandoned plans to give workers day‑one protection against unfair dismissal and will reduce the qualifying period from 24 months to six months under the Employment Rights Bill.
- Caught in a stand‑off, the Employment Rights Bill faced opposition from peers and MPs over day‑one protection and a ban on 'exploitative' zero‑hours contracts, prompting government talks with trade unions and business representatives.
- The deal preserves day‑one protection against discrimination and automatically unfair dismissal, while ensuring the unfair dismissal qualifying period can only be varied by primary legislation and the compensation cap will be lifted.
- TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said the priority is getting the legislation onto the statute book, while the Government urged peers to respect Labour's manifesto and pass it quickly.
- The Government intends for rights like day‑one sick pay to be on the statute book from next April, keeping the Employment Rights Bill on track for royal assent within the Government's published delivery timeline.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources23
Leaning Left6Leaning Right2Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution47% Center
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources are Center
47% Center
L 40%
C 47%
13%
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