Employment Rights Bill: Government motion to insist on disagreement to Lords Amendment 48B but to propose Government amendment (a) and (b) in lieu of LA48B

MPs voted on 8 December 2025 to reject Lords amendment 48B to the Employment Rights Bill and replace it with the government's own substitute provisions, amendments (a) and (b) in lieu. The motion passed by 395 votes to 98. Lords amendment 48B would have required formal consultation with businesses and bodies representing seasonal workers before secondary legislation under the Bill was made; the government proposed its own replacement text, arguing it addressed the same concern by a different route. The vote is one stage in a prolonged exchange between the Commons and Lords over the Employment Rights Bill, a wide-ranging measure that introduces day-one unfair dismissal rights, guaranteed-hours contracts for zero and low-hours workers, expanded trade union rights, and a new Fair Work Agency, among other changes. The specific question of seasonal workers matters to sectors including farming, agriculture, and hospitality, which depend on flexible recruitment at particular times of year. Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney, speaking in the debate, said she was glad the government had made progress on the seasonal work question and indicated her party's willingness to support the outcome, while calling for greater transparency on other aspects of zero-hours contract provisions. The division split almost entirely along party lines. All 311 Labour and Labour and Co-operative MPs who voted supported the government motion; so did 64 Liberal Democrats, six SNP members, four Plaid Cymru, and four Greens. All 85 Conservatives who voted opposed it, joined by four DUP members, three Reform UK members, and four independents. No Labour MP voted against. The Employment Rights Bill has completed its parliamentary passage following this and related Lords amendments consideration, receiving Royal Assent to become the Employment Rights Act 2025.