Press Story

Responding to the government’s decision to reduce the qualifying period for unfair dismissal protection, Joseph Evans, research fellow at IPPR, said:

“The government has agreed with businesses and unions to change its policy on unfair dismissal protection. The qualifying period will now be reduced from two years to six months, rather than being eliminated completely. This is still a substantial, positive change to labour law. The two-year qualifying period leaves millions of workers unprotected for far too long and makes us an outlier internationally. The new policy will restore unfair dismissal protections which applied from 1974 to 1979 and bring us in line with comparable countries.

“Parliament should now pass the Employment Rights Bill as quickly as possible. Delays will threaten the government’s ability to deliver much-needed improvements to parental leave, sick pay and enforcement by next April. The Bill brings vital and overdue changes to labour market regulation – on zero hours contracts, sick pay and trade union law – that are popular with the public, and will make a material difference to people’s lives.”

ENDS

Joseph Evans is available for interview

CONTACT

Rosie Okumbe, digital and media officer: 07825 185421 r.okumbe@ippr.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

IPPR is the UK’s most influential think tank, with dozens of alumni in Downing Street, the cabinet and parliament. We are the ideas factory behind many of the current government’s flagship policies, including changes to fiscal rules, the creation of a National Wealth Fund, GB Energy, devolution, and reforms to the NHS. IPPR is an independent charity which has seconded staff to government departments including DHSC and DESNZ to support ministers on crucial policies such as the 10-year health plan and the industrial strategy: www.ippr.org