Rayner hails new worker protections as unions blame Labour for business red tape

At the TUC annual conference in Brighton, Labour's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced the successful launch of the Employment Rights Act, a package that boosts statutory sick pay, extends paternity leave and will make it harder for employers to dismiss staff from next year. She highlighted that the bill was delivered within the 100-day pledge she made after the 2024 election and thanked trade union leaders, including Paul Nowak, for their support.

Conservative shadow business secretary Julia Lopez responded by saying the legislation acts as a hiring brake and imposes millions of pounds of extra costs on businesses, particularly those hiring young people. Rayner also criticised the Reform Party, noting recent £72 million donations from two crypto billionaires and warning that a Reform government would roll back the Act and other social protections. The debate underscored a growing partisan split over the balance between worker rights and business flexibility.