STORY
Employment Minister Kate Dearden has defended the Government’s workers’ rights reforms following criticism from business groups over the cost of the changes. She said the measures were intended to bring the UK closer to standards in other OECD countries.
The reforms include changes to sick pay, dismissal protections and union access to workplaces. Dearden said ministers were also continuing work on rights for unpaid carers and on the effects of artificial intelligence on employment.
Business groups have raised concerns that the measures could increase costs and reduce flexibility. Dearden said the Government wanted to support secure work while maintaining flexibility where it was genuinely chosen by workers.