15/06/2026
Minister defends new workers’ rights
Labour’s employment minister, Kate Dearden, has defended her party’s workers’ rights reforms arguing they simply align the UK with other OECD countries. Following complaints from businesses about the extra burdens the Employment Rights Act brings, Deardon said: “After lagging behind, we’re now in a place where we’re matching rights in other countries and providing those opportunities for our own workforce.” The Government is also consulting on regulations to replace zero-hours contracts, aiming to balance flexibility and job security for workers.