The PDA welcomes the news that the Employment Rights Bill, which had been blocked in the House of Lords by opposition party peers has finally been passed and will become the Employment Rights Act. Royal Assent is expected before the end of 2025 and the act will come into force in stages over 2026 and 2027.
Alongside the positive day to day impact for individuals and their families recent TUC analysis of the Act’s impact showed the wider benefits are expected to be £10.4 billion. This is significantly more than the costs, which have previously been estimated at between £0.9bn and £5bn across industry.
Paul Day, PDA Union Director said:
“A key part of the PDA’s role is to help members understand and exercise their rights at work and this legislation is the most significant improvement to many PDA member’s rights at work for a generation.”
This act does not bring every change needed, but it is a good start, and I hope that when workers, their families and indeed businesses see that improved rights at work ultimately benefit industry and the economy as well as individuals we can see the government do even more. Addressing the longstanding issues of employment status to benefit our many locum members has to be high up on the list of priorities for that.”
The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces significant changes to employment law in the UK, including:
- Reduction of the unfair dismissal qualifying period – from 2 years to 6 months.
- Removal of the cap on unfair dismissal compensation.
- Sick pay entitlement from Day one of employment
- Day one parental rights
- Ban on “fire and rehire” dismissals.
- Enhanced protection from discrimination and harassment.
- More stringent collective redundancy consultation requirements.
- Measures to regulate the behaviour of umbrella companies
- Increased trade union rights
- and more
The PDA has no party political affiliation and will work constructively with parties of government and of opposition in each of the jurisdictions in which PDA members live and work.
Learn more
- PDA Reps meet to discuss Employment Rights Bill
- PDA welcomes Employment Rights Bill
- PDA responds to the Employment Rights Bill omitted from the Queen’s Speech yet again (2022)
- PDA welcomes news that government attempts to restrict workers’ rights has been prevented
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