Employment Rights Bill: Motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 48
328Ayes
160Noes
Carried · majority 168 · Government won161 did not vote
649 Members · Aye 328 · No 160 · DNV 161 · grey dots in centre are abstentions
Analysis
Commons
Commons
MPs voted on 15 September 2025 to reject Lords Amendment 48 to the Employment Rights Bill, which would have required the Secretary of State to have regard to the needs of seasonal workers when drawing up regulations for guaranteed-hours contracts. The motion to disagree with the Lords passed by 328 votes to 160. The vote determines whether seasonal employers, such as farms and hospitality venues, will receive explicit legal recognition in the regulations that govern guaranteed-hours contracts for zero and low-hours workers. Supporters of the amendment argued that seasonal businesses are particularly vulnerable to changes in labour regulations and that secondary legislation should be required to consider their circumstances. The government argued the Bill already accommodates seasonal work, for example by allowing guaranteed-hours offers for limited-term and task-based contracts, making a specific duty unnecessary. Labour and Labour and Co-operative MPs voted unanimously for the government's position, providing the bulk of the 328 ayes. Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK all voted against, contributing to the 160 noes. The SNP, Plaid Cymru, and the Greens backed the government. No significant cross-party rebellions were recorded. The vote is one of a series of ping-pong divisions as the Bill moved between the Commons and Lords in its final legislative stages.
Voting Aye meant
Reject the Lords amendment, trusting that existing Bill provisions adequately protect seasonal workers and employers without a specific duty on the Secretary of State
Voting No meant
Support the Lords amendment, arguing that seasonal businesses such as farms and hospitality venues need explicit legal recognition when regulations are made, to avoid unintended harm to those sectors
Each row is one party. The stacked bar gives the within-party split of Aye / No / Absent; the columns on the right give the raw counts. The whip column shows the published party position — “Free vote” means the whip was formally removed for this division.
Party
Whip
Aye / No / Abs
Aye
No
Abs
Labour Party
Whipped Aye
274
0
87
Conservative and Unionist Party
Whipped No
0
83
33
Liberal Democrats
Whipped No
0
65
6
Labour and Co-operative Party
Whipped Aye
34
0
8
Independent
—
3
2
8
Scottish National Party
Whipped Aye
7
0
2
Reform UK
Whipped No
0
6
2
Sinn Féin
—
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
—
0
2
3
Green Party of England and Wales
Whipped Aye
3
0
1
Plaid Cymru
Whipped Aye
3
0
1
Social Democratic and Labour Party
—
2
0
0
Your Party
—
2
0
0
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
—
0
0
1
Restore Britain
—
0
0
1
Speaker
—
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
—
0
1
0
Ulster Unionist Party
—
0
1
0
Source · Hansard · UK Parliament Votes API · whip status from announced positions; “free vote” indicates the whip was formally removed
Government will reject most Lords amendments and proceed with day-one unfair dismissal rights, employer-led guaranteed hours offers, and expanded bereavement leave, striking a balance between worker protection and business flexibility.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (7,412 words) →
The Bill will damage growth and employment; Lords amendments are reasonable and should be accepted, especially on probation periods (6 months instead of day one), zero-hours contract flexibility, and trade union ballot thresholds.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (2,054 words) →
The Bill is landmark legislation delivering on Labour's manifesto; day-one unfair dismissal rights and employer-led guaranteed hours are essential to restore dignity at work and end the race to the bottom.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (2,898 words) →
Support Bill's aims but concerned about implementation detail left to secondary legislation; favour Lords amendments on guaranteed hours as a right to request (not obligation), 48-hour notice periods, and seasonal work protections.Liberal Democrat · Voted no · Read full speech (2,716 words) →
Challenge Government on business support; claim most small and medium-sized businesses oppose the Bill despite Government assertions.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (54 words) →
Acknowledge some business concerns on probation tribunal involvement and sick pay waiting days; urge continued engagement with chambers of commerce.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (129 words) →
Small businesses fear sickness absence costs will rise dramatically; request assurance that Bill will not overwhelm businesses with additional payroll costs.DUP · Voted no · Read full speech (141 words) →
Welcome most of Bill but urge Government to reconsider Lords amendment 61 on heritage railways to allow youth volunteering safely and legally.Plaid Cymru · Voted aye · Read full speech (194 words) →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0