Union leaders have called on Keir Starmer to make the “populist case” for workers’ rights reforms, after a major poll suggested the policies are hugely popular with the public despite limited recognition. The survey of 45,000 voters, commissioned by the TUC and Hope Not Hate, found that while just one in four people are aware of the proposed changes, support for key measures exceeds 70% once explained.
The employment rights bill returns to the Commons on Monday, with senior government figures pledging not to dilute planned restrictions on zero-hours contracts or new rights at work. The legislation was championed by Angela Rayner, who has stepped down as deputy prime minister. Unions have voiced deep concern over her departure and the removal of business minister Justin Madders, as well as the appointment of Peter Kyle as business secretary. However, Kyle has reportedly assured union leaders there will be no backsliding, and education secretary Bridget Phillipson made a similar promise in a speech to the TUC conference.
The poll, funded by Labour donor Dale Vince, found strong backing for ending most zero-hours contracts, banning fire-and-rehire, and giving workers day-one protection from unfair dismissal. Support for day-one rights reached 77% among 2024 Labour voters who have since switched to Reform, while 83% of low-income female Reform voters aged 35–44 backed the policy. Nearly 80% of respondents supported requiring employers to offer guaranteed-hours contracts based on usual working hours after 12 weeks, rising to 85% among Labour-to-Reform switchers.
Paul Nowak, the TUC’s general secretary, said the government had a “powerful story to tell” and must “own this agenda”. He welcomed moves to vote down Conservative and Liberal Democrat amendments to the bill. Nick Lowles, chief executive of Hope Not Hate, argued that economic insecurity, not immigration, was the “real fault line” in politics, adding that strengthening workers’ rights could help rebuild trust if it was placed “front and centre”.
Starmer responded by saying the bill was “good for workers, good for businesses and good for the economy”. He described it as part of a core agenda to make people better off. Nowak stressed the need for “watertight secondary legislation” to prevent loopholes for employers as the bill progresses, with key decisions on issues such as compensation for cancelled shifts still to be made.
