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
Commons voted on 5 November 2025 to accept a government amendment replacing a Lords change to the Employment Rights Bill, passing by 311 votes to 152. The amendment concerned the bill's day-one unfair dismissal provisions and was part of a ping-pong exchange, the back-and-forth process by which the two Houses negotiate the final text of a bill. The government's position included a statutory probation period of nine months, during which employers could dismiss workers under lighter-touch standards before the full unfair dismissal protection would apply. The practical effect is to establish day-one unfair dismissal rights for workers in Great Britain while giving employers a defined window, expected to be nine months, to assess whether a new hire is suitable. Supporters argued this would give working people financial security and predictability they currently lack, pointing to research suggesting strong employer support for the principle of day-one protections and evidence that secure work improves productivity. Critics contended that the nine-month arrangement is a confusing compromise that will deter employers, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, from taking on staff, and that the detail being left to subsequent consultation rather than set out in the bill itself adds uncertainty. Labour MPs voted unanimously in favour, joined by the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, the Greens, and most independents. Conservatives voted unanimously against, as did the Liberal Democrats, with Reform UK's two recorded votes also in the no lobby. There were no Labour rebels. The vote sits within a wider sequence of ping-pong divisions on the Employment Rights Bill across November and December 2025, with government majorities of similar size recorded in related divisions on 8 December, 10 December, and 15 December 2025.
Voting Aye meant
Support the government's revised employment rights package, including day-one unfair dismissal protections with a nine-month statutory probation period, as a balanced deal for workers and employers
Voting No meant
Oppose the government's approach, arguing the probation period arrangements are a confusing compromise that will deter employers — particularly in sectors like hospitality — from hiring, especially young people
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
61
10
Labour and Co-operative Party
Whipped Aye
31
0
11
Independent
—
7
2
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
Your Party
—
2
0
0
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
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