House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Implementing the Employment Rights Bill: October Consultation Package
23 October 2025 · Department for Business and Trade
Proposed by Kate Dearden Lab Co-op Halifax
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The government is launching an initial package of consultations to implement the Employment Rights Bill.
- The consultations cover enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers, bereavement leave rights, and trade union employer duties.
- The package also aims to establish a legal framework for trade union access to workplaces.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the implementation of the Employment Rights Bill through a series of consultations.
Action requested
The government is launching an initial package of consultations covering enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers, bereavement leave rights, trade union employer duty to inform workers of their right to join a trade union, and establishing a legal framework for trade union access to workplaces. The consultations will close on specified dates between December 2025 and January 2026.
Key facts
- The Employment Rights Bill introduces enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers.
- Consultation seeks views on specific circumstances allowing dismissal, timing of protections, and implementation measures until January 15, 2026.
- New statutory right to bereavement leave is introduced with a minimum of one week off work, eligible within 56 days from the date of loss.
- Trade Union Employer Duty to Inform consults on how employers should provide workers with written statements about their rights at the start and during employment until December 18, 2025.
- Right of Access consultation covers union access into workplaces physically and digitally, closing on December 18, 2025.