Page 20 - BOSS Today Issue 60

BOSS Today #60

n Parental/paternity leave: Labour has
promised parental leave from day one
of employment. It is unclear if this
Making Work Pay means parental leave within the strict Skills and Training
Labour plans to implement its ‘making (limited) legal meaning of that term, Labour’s flagship mission in this area is to
work pay’ plans within 100 days following or any kind of right for parents to take reduce unemployment within the 18-21
the election, as set out in its May 2024 family leave. Paternity leave currently age category and, in order to achieve this,
document, ‘Make Work Pay: Delivering A requires six months’ employment, but it plans to establish a ‘youth guarantee’.
New Deal for Working People’. It is likely will now be available from day one. This guarantee is that everyone aged 18 to
that the bulk of the pledges will take the n The right not to be unfairly dismissed: 21 will have access to an apprenticeship,
form of an Employment Rights Bill. Some a power in existing legislation means training or support in finding work. The
of the key proposals include: that Labour could change the current major pledges here are to:
two-year qualifying period fairly quickly.
Mandatory wages: However, it is expected that this will n Establish a new body, Skills England,
n Labour will change the remit of the need a lot of consultation beforehand, bringing together central and local
Low Pay Commission which advises so it is more likely to be a focus for year government, businesses, training
the Government on NMW (National two of the new Government. providers, unions, the Industrial
Minimum Wage) and NLW (National Strategy Council and the Migration
Living Wage) rates to include cost Aside from the ‘rights from day one’ Advisory Committee. It will engage
of living considerations. This could reforms, Labour also plans to introduce with the Institute for Apprenticeships
feasibly kick in immediately and could the following employment law changes: and Technical Education (IfATE) and
see the LPC’s recommendations for the the Education and Skills Funding
April 2025 levels creep higher, a likely n Statutory Bereavement Leave. Agency (ESFA).
concern for our industry. n Fire-and-rehire reforms. n Replace the Apprenticeships Levy
n It plans to scrap the NMW age band for n Strengthened protection for with a ‘Growth and Skills Levy’, which
18-20 year olds in order to attract this whistleblowers (it is unclear as yet what will allow companies to use up to
age group into work. However, this will this will look like). 50% of their total levy contributions
undoubtedly increase labour costs for n The right to a contract based on on non-apprenticeship training,
businesses who have large numbers of average working hours (in other words, with at least 50% being reserved for
younger workers and potentially provide attempting to end zero-hours contracts). apprenticeships. Skills England will
a disincentive to hire staff in their late n The right to ‘switch off’ or disconnect hold a list of approved qualifications
teens. It is unclear yet whether this will be from the workplace (a measure aimed which businesses can flexibly spend
done swiftly or following consultation. at improving work-life balance, and their levy money on, developed
perhaps using Belgium or Ireland’s in collaboration with devolved
approaches as a starting point). authorities, businesses, unions and
n Prevention of the dismissal of new wider experts. This will include:
mothers for six months after their modular courses in priority areas at
Employment Law Reforms return to work, subject to as-yet- the core of the industrial strategy
There are a number of changes in this area unspecified exceptions. (including digital and green skills,
for employers to be aware of, although of n Measures to boost the role of and social care and childcare); functional
course we will provide an update when access to trade unions, including skills and pre-apprenticeships training
timings become clearer. Several existing obliging employers to a) allow trade and basic digital skills. Small and
employee rights are to be brought forward union representatives to access medium size employers who do not
as available from day one of employment, workplaces b) to inform workers currently pay the Apprenticeships
and there is also a further set of changes: of their right to join a trade union. Levy will continue to receive 95%
Further, there will be new processes co-payments.
‘Rights from day one’ reforms: for workforces to raise collective n Labour will Transform Further
n Statutory Sick Pay: Labour has grievances. Education colleges into specialist
promised to remove a) the need to wait n Extension of time limits for bringing Technical Excellence Colleges. These
until day four to receive SSP and b) the tribunal claims from three to six colleges will work with businesses,
requirement to earn above the lower months. This would allow more time trade unions, and local government to
earnings limit to qualify. It is just about to resolve complaints before claims provide young people with better job
possible that these changes could also need to be filed, but may result in more opportunities and the highly trained
be made as early as April 2025, as tribunal claims. workforce that local economies need.
they will not require any substantial
follow-up regulations to bring them in.

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