Employment Rights Bill: motion relating to Lords Reason 120B

Parliament voted on 5 November 2025 to support the government's position in a dispute with the House of Lords over the Employment Rights Bill, passing a motion that rejected or modified several Lords amendments. The result was 308 votes in favour and 153 against. The motion covered several contested areas of the Bill, including day one unfair dismissal rights, guaranteed hours for workers, provisions relating to heritage rail volunteering, trade union political funds, and the thresholds required for lawful industrial action ballots.

The vote advances one of the most substantial pieces of employment legislation in years. In practical terms, it pushes forward protections such as day one rights against unfair dismissal, new obligations on employers to offer guaranteed hours to workers on zero-hours arrangements, and a reversal of trade union ballot thresholds introduced under the Trade Union Act 2016. The Bill affects millions of workers in sectors including hospitality, retail, and seasonal industries, as well as employers of all sizes and trade unions operating across the economy.

The division split almost entirely along party lines. Labour MPs, including Labour and Co-operative members, voted unanimously in favour. Conservatives and Liberal Democrats voted against, joining Reform UK in opposition. Smaller parties including the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, and the Greens backed the government. There were no notable cross-party rebellions. The vote is part of a prolonged parliamentary back-and-forth between the Commons and the Lords, with further divisions on the Bill recorded in December 2025, suggesting the legislation continued to face resistance in the upper chamber before ultimately proceeding through Parliament.