In an address to Parliament, the King's Speech 2024 unveiled a series of bold initiatives set to revolutionise the UK's educational landscape and reshape employment rights. At the heart of these changes are three key bills: the Employment Rights Bill, the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, and the Children’s Wellbeing Bill. These legislative measures reflect Labour's commitment to fostering a fairer, more equitable society while placing children's wellbeing and educational standards at the forefront of national priorities.
‘Labour’s promises, including a day-one right to claim unfair dismissal, restriction on fire and rehire policies and zero-hours contracts, reform of employment status and greater collective voice for employees, would represent a “seismic shift in the landscape” for both workers and employers.’
A Seismic Shift in Employment Rights
Labour’s promises signify a "seismic shift in the landscape" for workers and employers alike. Among the transformative changes are:
Employment Rights Bill
This comprehensive legislation is set to be introduced within the government's first 100 days in office, aiming to address longstanding issues in the labour market. Key provisions include:
Living Wage and NMW/NLW Reforms: Introducing a genuine living wage and removing age-based restrictions on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW).
Zero-Hour Contracts Ban: Prohibiting exploitative zero-hour contracts to provide workers with more stability
Ending Fire and Rehire: Stopping the practice of firing employees only to rehire them on less favourable terms.
Day One Employment Rights: Extending rights to unfair dismissal, statutory sick pay (SSP), and parental leave from the first day of employment, subject to probationary periods.
SSP Reforms: Removing the lower earnings limit and waiting days for SSP.
Flexible Working: Making flexible working the default for all employees.
Protection for New Mothers: Strengthening protections by making it unlawful to dismiss a woman within six months of her return to work.
Enforcement and Fair Pay: Establishing a single enforcement body for workplace rights and creating fair pay agreements in the adult social care sector.
School Support Staff: Reinstating the negotiating body for school support staff to ensure fair pay and conditions.
Tackling Inequality: The Equality (Race and Disability) Bill
Labour's commitment to equality is further embodied in the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, which seeks to address systemic disparities faced by ethnic minorities and disabled individuals. This bill will:
Equal Pay Rights: Enshrine in law the full right to equal pay for ethnic minorities and disabled people, making it easier to bring forward equal pay claims.
Mandatory Pay Reporting: Introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for large employers (with over 250 employees), aiming to close these pay gaps.
Children's Wellbeing and Educational Reforms
The Children’s Wellbeing Bill is set to transform the educational environment and promote the holistic development of children. Key measures include:
Education Standards and Wellbeing: Raising standards and placing children’s wellbeing at the centre of the education and social care systems.
VAT on Private School Fees: Removing the exemption from value-added tax on private school fees, which will fund the hiring of 6,500 new teachers.
Safeguarding and Protection: Strengthening multi-agency child protection arrangements and providing Ofsted with greater powers to investigate unregistered independent schools.
School Admissions and SEND: Requiring schools to cooperate with local authorities on admissions and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) inclusion, ensuring decisions account for community needs.
Curriculum and Teacher Standards: Mandating all schools to teach the national curriculum and ensuring all new teachers attain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Support staff will also have a national voice in their pay and conditions.
Inspection and Accountability: Bringing multi-academy trusts into the inspection system and enabling direct intervention in underperforming schools and trusts.
A Vision for the Future
The King's speech sets the stage for a transformative period in UK education and employment law. Labour's ambitious agenda promises to address deep-rooted inequities and foster an environment where every individual, regardless of background, can thrive. As these bills move forward, schools and employers will need to prepare for significant changes that aim to create a more just and thriving society for all.