Angela Rayner is making a significant return to the political forefront, spearheading a campaign to pressure Sir Keir Starmer's government to implement crucial workers' rights reforms more swiftly. The former deputy prime minister is preparing to table an amendment to the landmark Workers' Rights Bill, legislation she originally championed before her resignation.
Key Amendment Aims for Earlier Implementation
The core of Rayner's move is to bring forward the timeline for a major change. The government recently replaced a plan for day-one protection against unfair dismissal with a new six-month qualifying period, following concerns from businesses. While not seeking to restore the original day-one right, Rayner, alongside former minister Justin Madders, will argue that the reduced qualifying period—down from the current two years—should take effect in April 2026, not 2027 as currently scheduled.
Their amendment will contend that because the change is now a reduction of an existing period, the lengthy consultation and familiarisation time for employers is unnecessary. The pair have been in talks with fellow MPs and union allies to build support for the accelerated timeline.
Broader Push for a Robust Package
Rayner and Madders are also set to push for additional safeguards within the bill. They will advocate to ensure workers on zero-hour contracts are not excluded from new rights and to introduce fines for employers who prevent trade unions from communicating with their workforce.
An ally of Rayner stated: 'As key architects of the Bill, they know it inside out. They will be spearheading efforts to ensure the best possible package of reform is delivered and implemented to an ambitious timeline.'
Backbench Pressure and Industry Backlash
The government's concession on day-one unfair dismissal rights, made after business groups warned of potential costs and recruitment difficulties, has sparked considerable unrest on the Labour backbenches and within unions like Unite. There is reported 'considerable anger' that a manifesto pledge was blocked, but also a 'growing consensus' that other parts of the bill could be rolled out faster.
One Labour MP involved said: 'This can't be the thin end of the wedge... Not only can there be no more watering down, but there is now growing appetite on the Labour benches to go further and faster in delivering tangible rights at work.'
Another MP emphasised the benefit of the existing change: 'Even with last week's changes, reducing the qualifying period for protection from unfair dismissal from 24 months to six would benefit millions of working people. Why should they have to wait until 2027 for better protections?'
Other elements of the bill, including new day-one rights to parental leave and sick pay, remain on track for implementation in April 2026.
