The Business and Trade Committee has launched a Call for Evidence as it begins what it calls “a major new inquiry into the Government’s flagship Employment Rights Bill”.

We have commented on the contents of the Bill here, as well as recently-published consultations on some of its measures here. The aim of the Committee’s inquiry is to – among other things – consider whether the Bill will “adequately protect workers, improve security at work and raise living standards in every part of the country”, as well as take evidence on the impact it will have on businesses.

The Call for Evidence invites all interested individuals and organisations to submit written evidence in relation to the following matters:

• Does the Employment Rights Bill adequately safeguard the workers it seeks to protect?
• Are there weaknesses or loopholes in the Bill that could be exploited or have unintended consequences?
• Are there areas of employment law not covered by the Bill that weaken workers’ protections?
• Can the measures in the Bill be adequately enforced? What are the barriers to setting up a Single Enforcement Body (Fair Work Agency) and how can these challenges be overcome?
• Will the proposed trade union reforms improve working relationships between workers and businesses, and hence, productivity and enable voice at work?
• What impact will the areas covered by the Employment Rights Bill have on small, medium and large businesses?
• What impact will these measures have on staff retention, hiring practices, probationary periods and wages?
• How will other areas set out in the Plan to Make Work Pay impact businesses?
• What impact will strengthened protections, such as day one rights, have on the hiring practices of businesses, UK employment rates and UK investment rates?
• To what extent could the Employment Rights Bill cause businesses to offshore employment and continue with weaker workers’ protections abroad?

In addition, the Committee invites view on how the Plan to Make Work Pay will impact:

• Economic growth;
• Productivity levels;
• Rates of investment;
• Business start-up rates;
• Supply of labour;
• Employment levels;
• Incomes;
• Household wealth; and
• What solutions or actions are required by Government, businesses and workers to effectively support the labour market while boosting productivity and protecting workers’ rights.

Responses are due by 6 December 2024, and more information can be found here.