The publication of political manifestos continues, and the fourth party to do so, is the Labour Party. So, what do we know about what the employment landscape would look like under a Labour Government? Here are the key points
- Introduce basic rights from day one of employment regarding parental leave, statutory sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal.
- Introduce legislation to end the practice of firing and rehiring employees on worse terms, providing greater job security
- Prohibit exploitative zero-hour contracts, ensuring all jobs provide a baseline level of security and predictability
- Ensure the minimum wage is a genuine living wage, reflecting the cost of living, and remove age bands for minimum wage
- Make flexible work the default from day one for all workers, with exceptions only where not reasonably feasible
- Update trade union legislation to facilitate good faith negotiations, boosting worker protections and ensuring better terms and conditions
Labour has indicated that legislative changes supporting the above would happen within the first 100 days of taking office. This rapid legislative action is part of their broader strategy to enhance job security, raise living standards, and boost economic growth.
More broader changes impacting employment include:
- To increase the UK’s employment rate from 75% to 80%
- Create a new National Jobs and Careers Service integrating jobcentres and careers support to help more people find better-paid work
- Guarantee opportunities for training, apprenticeships, or employment for all young people aged 18-21
- Reform employment support to integrate work, health, and skills support to get more people with health conditions and disabilities into employment
- Introduce 1,000 new careers advisers in schools, along with guaranteeing quality work experience of two weeks and mental health support in every school
- Adjust the benefit system to encourage work.
Stay Informed
You can read the Liberal Democrats’ Party’s manifesto here, the Conservative Party’s manifesto here, and The Green Party’s Manifesto here.
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