The Employment Rights Bill (“ERB”), the government’s landmark legislation intending to introduce a raft of wide-ranging measures, has now passed the Committee stage and is proceeding to Report stage and Third Reading.
The Public Bill Committee has considered over 250 amendments since it started its review in November 2024. Further amendments to the ERB are expected to be made at Report Stage, as it gives an opportunity for all MPs to consider additional changes and vote. Given the length of the ERB, these debates will be taking place over several days.
Although an update was initially anticipated on 21 January 2025, the dates of the Report stage are now yet to be decided. However, the Third Reading (where the House of Commons decides whether to agree the Bill) is expected to take place promptly after Report stage, before it proceeds to the House of Lords to consider.
We will be providing updates as the ERB progresses through Bill passage. As a reminder, the ERB is not expected to be passed into law before summer of this year, with the majority of changes likely to be effective from 2026.
