In a defining speech to trade union leaders, Labour's Deputy Leader Angela Rayner has laid out an ambitious plan to enact the most significant expansion of workers' rights in decades. The proposed reforms, branded the New Deal for Working People, are set to be a cornerstone of a future Labour government's agenda.
The centrepiece of the plan is an outright ban on exploitative zero-hour contracts, giving millions of workers the fundamental right to a stable contract that reflects their regular hours. This move directly targets the insecurity that has become commonplace in the modern gig economy.
A New Era for Worker Protections
Ms. Rayner promised that the legislation would be introduced within the first 100 days of a Labour government taking office. The comprehensive package of reforms includes:
- Banning zero-hour contracts and ensuring all workers have a right to a contract reflecting their actual hours.
- Strengthening trade union rights, making it easier for workers to organise and negotiate for better pay and conditions.
- Providing day-one employment rights for all workers, ending the current waiting period for basic protections.
- Giving parents and carers more extensive flexible working rights to help them balance work and family life.
Unions Hail "Transformative" Plans
The announcement was met with strong approval from major trade unions, who have long campaigned for such measures. The reforms are seen as a direct reversal of previous government policies that unions argue eroded workers' rights and tipped the balance of power too far in favour of employers.
Rayner positioned these reforms as essential for creating a fairer economy, arguing that greater job security and better pay are not just good for workers, but also for business productivity and the country's economic stability. She stated the New Deal would ensure "work finally pays under a Labour government."
This bold pledge sets a clear battle line for the next general election, making workers' rights and the future of work a central issue for voters. The business community's response is anticipated, with some likely to express concerns over increased regulatory burdens.
