15.08.2024

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, attended a meeting yesterday hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, and the Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, to discuss employment rights.

During this meeting, Make UK and the Government – along with senior representatives from a cross section of other major business organisations and trade unions – discussed views on the Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay, with the Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary listening closely to the valuable insights of all attendees. Discussions also focused on the Employment Rights Bill, which the Government has committed to introducing to Parliament within 100 days of entering office.

The attendees agreed that collaboration between all stakeholders was needed to help deliver the Government’s first mission – to kickstart economic growth.

Make UK continues to sit at the table with Government as it takes the next steps to Make Work Pay.  During the meeting, Make UK made clear that manufacturers are generally supportive of the Government’s planned changes which are aimed at stamping out poor business practices and that, as a sector, manufacturing has a good story to tell.

In addition, while Make UK has welcomed constructive engagement with the Labour Party in opposition, it is important that the Government’s commitment to introducing legislation within the first 100 days does not override the need to ensure that employers, trade unions and other stakeholders are properly consulted.

Make UK made clear to the Government during yesterday’s meeting that, while many of the Government’s employment law changes are sensible, it will be important to ensure that the cumulative effect is not added cost and bureaucracy which would dampen growth.

Yesterday’s meeting clearly demonstrates the Government’s commitment to engaging on the Plan to Make Work Pay and to delivering an ambitious agenda to ensure workplaces which are fit for a modern economy.  The Plan is designed to support more people to stay in work, make work more family friendly, and improve living standards, while boosting economic growth, resilience and conditions for innovation.

Commenting on the meeting, Stephen Phipson said:

“Manufacturers believe that good, well-paid, secure work is key to the Government’s missions of securing economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity, which belong at the heart of an industrial strategy. The manufacturing sector, working closely with trade unions, pays 9% above the national average salary, and is investing increasing amounts in skills training and wellbeing to develop its workforce and improve productivity.”

To read the Government’s press release, see here.

How we can help

Further engagement between Government, trade unions and business representatives is planned to discuss the detail of the Plan to Make Work Pay. Make UK looks forward to continuing to work with the Government on ensuring its Plan to Make Work Pay benefits both manufacturing employers and their employees, and will share insights on behalf of Make UK members both via similar meetings and the upcoming consultations on proposed changes to the law.

Our expert legal advisers will be discussing the Government’s proposed legislative changes in more detail in our Autumn Employment Law Updates. Click here to book.

To read more about the Government’s proposals, see here, as well as our detailed HR action plan which highlights some key steps HR should take now to prepare for likely changes ahead.

If you are a Make UK subscriber, you can speak to your regular adviser with any queries you may have about these various employment law proposals and to request further consultancy support. Make UK subscribers can also access guidance on a wide range of employment law topics, including template policies and drafting guidance, in the HR & Legal Resources section of our website.

If you are not a Make UK subscriber, our expert HR and legal advisers can offer guidance on a consultancy basis. For further information, contact us on 0808 168 5874 or email [email protected].