Reform UK has pledged to scrap two flagship Labour laws on workers' rights and renters' protections, drawing criticism from unions and housing charities. In a speech in Birmingham, the party's business spokesperson Richard Tice announced plans for a 'great repeal act' that would abolish the Employment Rights Act and the Renters' Rights Act.
Tice argued that the Employment Rights Act, which provides new rights on sick pay, parental leave, and zero-hours contracts, is 'destroying jobs for young people' and blamed it for rising youth unemployment. He also said the Renters' Rights Act, which bans 'no fault evictions' and introduces open-ended tenancies, has reduced the supply of rental properties and pushed up rents.
The proposals were condemned by Shelter chief executive Sarah Elliott, who said scrapping the reforms would 'condemn thousands to the hellish conditions they have endured for decades'. Unison general secretary Andrea Egan noted that Reform MPs 'have consistently voted against every measure to improve fairness and rights at work'.
Tice also echoed US President Donald Trump by calling for 'tight quotas and significant tariffs' on some Chinese imports to protect UK manufacturing. He advocated for a new sovereign wealth fund to invest in domestic energy, including North Sea oil drilling and fracking, saying it is a 'patriotic duty to use our energy treasure'.
Friends of the Earth's Mike Childs countered that Reform should instead back 'homegrown renewable power' and home insulation for real energy security.
