Well, I’ll be straight with you, this new Employment Rights Bill is a catastrophe in the waiting. And it’s a crying shame it didn’t fall with its biggest cheerleader, Angela Rayner. This bill is exactly the sort of anti-business nonsense that shows once again that Labour doesn’t get how business actually works.

Bosses Vilified

Even before it becomes law, I’m already hearing from business owners who are freezing recruitment because of it. It’s having a cooling effect on hiring across the country, bosses are nervous and unsure what the future holds and frankly fed up with being vilified as the workers’ enemy and only tolerated by government as a source of income. Just when we need confidence and growth, the government’s delivering fear and friction.

Let’s not forget, this comes hot on the heels of increased employer National Insurance contributions, another massive hit to the people actually creating jobs (and those who need them). It’s as if every time businesses get their heads above water, the politicians find a new way to push them back down.

Businesses adopt ‘Brace Position’

And here’s the kicker, 68% of businesses are adopting the ‘brace position’ against the bill’s negative affect on them. No surprise there. The most damaging part is giving employees the right to claim unfair dismissal from day one. That’s madness. Employers need the ability to assess a new starter properly, to make sure they can do the job before they’re locked into an endless legal risk.

Right now, most companies use that initial period to make sure someone’s the right fit. Take that away, and you’ll see a hiring freeze like never before. I genuinely believe it’ll cut new jobs by 35–40%. And for the few brave employers who still take the risk, there’ll be a queue of employment tribunal claims waiting for them if things don’t work out.

Back to Bad Days of 1970s

This isn’t just about today’s businesses either. It’ll frighten off entrepreneurs from starting new ventures and stop existing firms from expanding. When you make it this risky to hire someone, people just won’t do it. Simple as that.

The result? A drastic impact on the UK economy at a time when we can least afford it. Instead of creating jobs and opportunities, this bill will destroy confidence, stifle growth, and send UK PLC back to the dark days of the 1970s.

No Plan!

The truth is, Labour have no clue how to help businesses grow or the economy recover. Like former Bank of England governor Mervyn King said at the weekend – chancellor Reeves ‘has no plan’. Labour talks about ‘fairness’ but seem to forget that without thriving businesses, there are no jobs to protect in the first place.

Employers aren’t villains. We take risks, create livelihoods, and drive the economy. All we ask for is a fair chance to build teams that work, not to have every new hire come with a legal time bomb attached.

Giant Step Backwards

If the government wants a strong, growing economy, it’s time they listened to the people who actually make it happen. Because from where I’m standing, the Employment Rights Bill isn’t progress, it’s a giant step backwards into recession.