Reform UK has pledged to introduce a “great repeal act” that would abolish Labour legislation on workers’ rights and tenant protections, drawing criticism from unions and renters’ groups. Richard Tice, the party’s business spokesperson, made the announcement in his first speech since being appointed by Nigel Farage to a portfolio covering business, trade and energy.
Tice said a Reform government would repeal the Employment Rights Act and the Renters’ Rights Act, two flagship pieces of legislation passed by Keir Starmer’s government. The Employment Rights Act, passed in December, offers new rights on sick pay, parental leave and zero-hours contracts, including guaranteed hours and a ban on most fire-and-rehire practices. Tice claimed the act was “destroying jobs for young people”.
The Renters’ Rights Act abolishes “no fault evictions”, replaces fixed-term tenancies with open-ended agreements, and introduces new duties on health hazards. Tice argued the law had made landlords reluctant to rent, reducing supply and pushing up rents. He said: “There’s a balance of risk and reward, and too many landlords have said, enough is enough.”
Critics condemned the proposals. Sarah Elliott, chief executive of Shelter, said scrapping the reforms would “condemn thousands to the hellish conditions they have endured for decades”. Clara Collingwood of the Renters’ Reform Coalition called it “a huge setback for millions of renters”. Unison general secretary Andrea Egan said Reform MPs “have consistently voted against every measure to improve fairness and rights at work”.
Tice also echoed Donald Trump, calling for “tight quotas and significant tariffs” on some Chinese imports to protect UK manufacturing, and a new sovereign wealth fund to invest in North Sea oil drilling and fracking. Friends of the Earth’s Mike Childs urged backing renewable power and home insulation instead.
