British premier, opposition leader clash over employment rights bill

In a heated exchange during Prime Minister’s Questions session in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Starmer defended the bill as necessary for both workers and economic growth.

The bill introduces significant reforms to worker protections, based on Labour’s 2024 employment plan.

It grants workers on zero-hours contracts the right to reasonable shift notice and guaranteed hours if they work regular patterns. Employers will be required to justify any refusal of flexible working requests.

Statutory sick pay will be available from the first day of illness without a lower earnings limit. Paternity and parental leave will be available from day one of employment, and bereavement leave eligibility will be expanded.

The government plans to begin consultations in 2025, with most reforms not taking effect until 2026 or later.

Badenoch claimed that Starmer had previously “misled the house” by stating an amendment to the Schools Bill had been tabled when it had only been announced.

However, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle intervened, preventing her from directly accusing Starmer of dishonesty.

Starmer pushed back, arguing that “good work rights are consistent with growth” and bluntly rejecting Badenoch’s demand to drop the measures. “No, I think they are good for workers and good for growth,” he said.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey pressed Starmer on the NHS crisis, citing a visit to a hospital in Barnstaple, which he described as a “ticking time bomb” due to its lack of operating theatres.

He also challenged Starmer on whether he would negotiate joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) customs scheme when he visits Brussels on Monday.

Starmer reaffirmed the government’s stance against joining the EU customs union or single market but sidestepped the specific question on PEM.