Employment Rights Bill: Government amendment (a) in lieu of LA62
311Ayes
152Noes
Carried · majority 159 · Government won183 did not vote
646 Members · Aye 311 · No 152 · DNV 183 · grey dots in centre are abstentions
Analysis
Commons
Commons
The House of Commons voted on 5 November 2025 to pass a government replacement amendment to Lords Amendment 62 of the Employment Rights Bill, by 311 votes to 152. Lords Amendment 62 would have removed a clause retaining the existing 50% turnout threshold for industrial action ballots. The government's substitute amendment, rather than simply accepting or rejecting the Lords position outright, requires the Secretary of State to consider the effects of introducing electronic balloting on voter turnout in industrial action ballots. The government's compromise position prevailed comfortably. The vote concerns the rules governing when trade unions can legally call strikes. Under the current law, at least 50% of eligible union members must participate in a ballot for industrial action to be lawful. The Lords had sought to remove this threshold entirely. The government declined to go that far, instead proposing that any future introduction of electronic balloting, which could raise participation rates, must be assessed for its effect on turnout proportions. This preserves the threshold for now while signalling that it could be reviewed alongside modernisation of balloting methods. The outcome affects millions of unionised workers and their employers across the public and private sectors, bearing directly on the conditions under which strikes can occur. Labour MPs voted unanimously in favour of the government's position, joined by SNP, Plaid Cymru, Green, and most independent members. Conservatives and Liberal Democrats voted together against, with Reform UK's two present members also opposing. The Liberal Democrats argued for retaining the full 50% threshold without qualification, while Conservatives characterised the broader bill as damaging to employment and economic growth. The vote is part of a prolonged parliamentary back-and-forth on the Employment Rights Bill between the Commons and Lords, with several related divisions occurring in December 2025 suggesting the bill remained contested well into its passage.
Voting Aye meant
Support the Labour government's employment rights provisions, including stronger unfair dismissal protections, rejecting Lords amendments that weakened the Bill
Voting No meant
Oppose the government's approach, arguing stronger dismissal protections will deter employers from hiring young and new workers and harm job creation
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
258
0
103
Conservative and Unionist Party
Whipped No
0
86
30
Liberal Democrats
Whipped No
0
62
10
Labour and Co-operative Party
Whipped Aye
31
0
11
Independent
—
8
1
4
Scottish National Party
Whipped Aye
6
0
3
Reform UK
—
0
2
6
Sinn Féin
—
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
—
0
1
4
Green Party of England and Wales
Whipped Aye
4
0
0
Plaid Cymru
Whipped Aye
4
0
0
Social Democratic and Labour Party
—
1
0
1
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
—
0
0
1
Restore Britain
—
0
1
0
Speaker
—
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
—
0
0
1
Ulster Unionist Party
—
0
0
1
Your Party
—
1
0
0
Source · Hansard · UK Parliament Votes API · whip status from announced positions; “free vote” indicates the whip was formally removed
Defended rejecting Lords amendments on day-one unfair dismissal rights, guaranteed hours, and strike ballot thresholds; argued these are core manifesto commitments that will provide security and dignity for workers while supporting fair employers.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (5,845 words) →
Opposed the Bill as rushed and half-baked, warning it will reduce youth hiring, create unemployment, and burden small businesses with compliance costs; called for meaningful compromises on qualifying periods, seasonal work, and guaranteed hours obligations.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (1,798 words) →
Passionately defended the Bill as delivering a new deal for working people, rejecting compromise amendments as attempts to water down manifesto promises; emphasized worker dignity and cited support from businesses like the Co-op and Richer Sounds.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,434 words) →
Supported the Bill's aims but urged amendments to clarify probation periods, change guaranteed hours to a right-to-request model, and maintain the 50% ballot threshold; argued for balance between worker security and business flexibility.Liberal Democrat · Voted no · Read full speech (2,057 words) →
Strongly opposed Lords amendments, particularly on zero-hours contracts and ballot thresholds; argued day-one unfair dismissal rights are essential and did not prevent probation periods; cited OECD evidence that employment regulation does not reduce employment.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,652 words) →
Defended the Bill as a manifesto pledge voted for by millions; cited research showing 73% of employers support day-one unfair dismissal rights; challenged Opposition claims about union influence by noting trade union support is transparent and democratic.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (344 words) →
Strongly opposed all Lords amendments, arguing they would water down manifesto commitments on day-one rights, guaranteed hours, and ballot thresholds; framed the Bill as essential to raising living standards after 14 years of wage suppression.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,139 words) →
Declared no concessions on the Bill; opposed political fund opt-in and ballot thresholds as undemocratic attacks on worker voice; committed to full repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (728 words) →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0