Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Employment Rights Act 2025

Thursday 21 May 2026 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Laurence Turner questioned the Government on the implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025, focusing on the disproportionate impact of fines on trade unions versus large employers.
  • James Wild raised concerns about rising youth unemployment and questioned whether the Government should reduce regulatory burdens to create more job opportunities.
  • Harriett Baldwin inquired if the Government would lobby the Chancellor to scrap the family business tax, citing business leaders' concerns about leaving Britain due to the Employment Rights Act and high taxes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Laurence Turner Lab Birmingham Northfield
Employment
Context

The Employment Rights Act 2025 is designed to update employment rights legislation. There has been recent consultation on trade union access rights.

Question

What progress have you made in implementing the Employment Rights Act 2025? The Department recently published its response to the trade union right of access consultation, which capped fines at £500 £500,000 for employers but up to 20% of a medium-sized trade union's surplus. How does this achieve fair enforcement?

Answer from Kate Dearden

The legal framework for the right of access in the Employment Rights Act 2025 provides an enforcement mechanism that applies to all parties. The Government set out factors for the Central Arbitration Committee to consider, including the gravity and impact of breaches on workers and resources of liable parties.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific impacts on well-resourced employers versus trade unions were not addressed in detail

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Q2 Laurence Turner Lab Birmingham Northfield
Employment Business Compliance
Context

The Employment Rights Act includes a right of access for trade unions to workplace premises. The government recently published responses.

Question

I draw attention to my membership of the GMB and Unite trade unions. Capping fines at £500,000 equates to 0.02% of Amazon's operating profits but up to 20% for a medium-sized union. How does disproportionate liability achieve fair enforcement?

Answer from Kate Dearden

The Government set out factors the Central Arbitration Committee must consider when setting penalty values, including the gravity of breaches and resources of liable parties. The level of fines reflects seriousness.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific impacts on well-resourced employers versus trade unions were not detailed

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Q3 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
Employment Business & Trade
Context

Unemployment is rising, particularly youth unemployment at 16%. The Employment Rights Act has been cited as causing job losses.

Question

Unemployment is up with youth unemployment at 16% 16%, and the jobs tax and Employment Rights Act are destroying opportunities. Should Ministers listen to M&S CEO about understanding business better? Will they reduce regulatory burden?

Answer from Kate Dearden

Youth unemployment was a long-term problem under previous governments, with NEET numbers rising by 250,000. The youth guarantee provides hiring incentives for foundational apprenticeships in retail and hospitality. Grants worth £2.5 billion will help create over 500 500,000 opportunities for young people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific regulatory or tax relief measures were not outlined

How: Changed Subject To Long-Term Unemployment

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Q4 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Economy Taxation Employment
Context

One in eight business leaders are considering leaving Britain due to the Employment Rights Act and family business tax. The Sunday Times rich list shows 30% have already fled.

Question

The Employment Rights Act is cited by one in eight business leaders for considering leaving Britain, with 30% of the rich list having left due to high taxes. Will you lobby the Chancellor to scrap the family business tax?

Answer from Kate Dearden

Economic growth is a priority, but insecure work cannot build a strong economy. The Employment Rights Act aims to reverse previous damage and ensure an economy that works for everyone.

Not addressed: Scraping the family business tax was not addressed

How: Changed Subject To Overall Economic Goals

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