Letter from Baroness Jones to Lord Strathclyde, Chair of the Constitution Committee, responding to the Committee's report on the Employment Rights Bill

This is the government's response, published 8 July 2025.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government says it shares the Committee's commitment to appropriate use of delegated powers and Henry VIII powers, and its response mostly defends the Bill's approach while adding some amendments and commitments.

• On the zero hours delegated powers, it has tabled amendments requiring the Secretary of State to "have regard to" specified considerations when using the power at Section 27BD(6), while retaining the ability to consult on its uses.
• On criminal offences by regulations (Clause 54), it "intend[s] to retain the power" and considers the approach "appropriate in the circumstances", but intends to amend the Bill so that the section 84A(2) power is subject to the affirmative procedure for all uses.
• On enforcement powers, it says existing safeguards will continue under the Fair Work Agency, and officers will need a warrant to enter dwellings. Internal policies and procedures will be produced before Part 5 is commenced.
• On Employment Tribunal backlogs, it "intend[s] to publish further analysis" in an Enactment Impact Assessment when the Bill secures Royal Assent, and further assessments when it consults on proposed regulations.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error