The Employment Rights Act 2025 timetable has been updated, with major reforms on unfair dismissal, tribunal claims, and fire and rehire still to come.

With the Employment Rights Bill advancing through Parliament, the practice of Fire & Rehire is set to be curtailed, possibly as early as October 2025

The government is consulting on zero hours contracts right now, and business lobbyists are already trying to water it down. Add your voice before 25 August👇

A recent study by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) highlights that a significant proportion of workers on zero-hours or variable contracts continue to hold these insecure positions for extended periods. The research indicates that over half of employees with such contracts stay with their employers for two years or more, while one in six remain in these roles for a decade or longer. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak has dismissed claims that zero-hours contracts are predominantly filled by students, stressing that most workers rely on them as their primary source of income. Union leaders have criticized attempts to weaken proposed employment protections, labeling criticisms of bans on exploitative contracts as scaremongering. The TUC and shopworkers' union Usdaw have called on the government to fully implement promised rights to guaranteed-hours contracts to provide financial security for low-paid workers. The findings underscore the long-term challenges faced by individuals trapped in precarious work arrangements, with calls for stronger regulatory measures to address systemic issues within the labor market.

The final cost will depend on how many hours workers must be offered, with the government estimating the reforms could also bring wider economic benefits.

The UK government's proposed workplace reforms, aimed at banning zero-hours contracts, have sparked significant debate over their potential economic implications. Analysis suggests the measure could impose annual costs on businesses ranging from £350 million to £2.9 billion, with a central estimate of £1.1 billion. While ministers argue that improved worker conditions will support growth through enhanced productivity and wellbeing, employers and industry groups have raised concerns about the financial burden. Retailers warn that the reforms risk harming young people's job prospects, especially amid rising youth unemployment and increased employer costs. The British Chambers of Commerce criticized the timing of the consultation, arguing the measures could further strain businesses already struggling financially. Unions, however, support the reforms as a step towards greater worker security and alignment with European standards. The government maintains its commitment to ending exploitative contracts but acknowledges the need for careful implementation to balance employee rights with economic realities.