Employment Rights Bill: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
105
Ayes
—
386
Noes
Defeated · Government won
156 did not vote
Analysis
Commons
Commons
**What happened:** On 21 October 2024, the House of Commons voted on a reasoned amendment (a formal motion to reject a bill at Second Reading by stating reasons against it) to the Employment Rights Bill, tabled by the Conservative opposition. The amendment argued the bill would damage business competitiveness and economic growth. It was defeated by 386 votes to 105, allowing the bill to proceed to its next parliamentary stage. **Why it matters:** The Employment Rights Bill is one of the largest pieces of employment legislation in a generation, covering areas including zero-hours contracts, unfair dismissal protections, trade union rights, and flexible working entitlements. Defeating this amendment cleared the way for the bill to advance through Parliament. The legislation affects millions of workers across the UK, particularly those in insecure or low-paid employment, as well as employers who will face new obligations under the proposed rules. **The politics:** The vote divided almost entirely along party lines. All 320 Labour MPs and 39 Labour and Co-operative MPs voted against the amendment, joined by the SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, and the SDLP. The 98 Conservative MPs present voted for the amendment, alongside 5 Reform UK members and 3 independents. No notable cross-party rebellion occurred on either side. The vote reflects a sharp divide between the new Labour government's programme of expanding workers' rights and the Conservative and Reform position that such measures threaten business flexibility and economic growth.
Voting Aye meant
Support blocking the Employment Rights Bill, arguing it imposes excessive costs on businesses and could damage growth and job creation
Voting No meant
Support proceeding with the Employment Rights Bill, backing stronger protections for over 10 million workers including improved job security and employment conditions
491 voting MPs. Each dot is one vote; left-to-right by party. Grey dots in the centre are the 156 who did not vote.
Aye
No
Absent
Labour PartyWhipped No
0
320
42
Conservative and Unionist PartyWhipped Aye
98
0
18
Liberal Democrats
0
0
72
Labour and Co-operative PartyWhipped No
0
39
3
Independent
3
8
3
Scottish National PartyWhipped No
0
9
—
Reform UKWhipped Aye
5
0
2
Sinn Féin
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
0
0
5
Green Party of England and WalesWhipped No
0
4
—
Plaid CymruWhipped No
0
3
1
Social Democratic and Labour Party
0
2
—
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
0
0
1
Speaker
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
1
0
—
Ulster Unionist Party
0
0
1
Your Party
0
1
—
Bill delivers biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation, is pro-growth and pro-business, and extends protections to over 10 million workers while respecting small business concerns through consultation and probation periods.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (4,624 words) →
Bill is a rushed trade union charter that will terrify small businesses, cost £4-5 billion annually, increase strikes, and drive unemployment and price inflation without delivering growth benefits.Conservative · Voted aye · Read full speech (4,429 words) →
Broadly supportive of modernising employment rights but Bill lacks detail on carer's leave, parental support, and small business viability; urges greater consultation and business rates reform.Liberal Democrat · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (1,143 words) →
Impact assessment shows only marginal growth benefits while imposing serious costs on small businesses; questioned how day-one unfair dismissal rights would prevent spurious claims from being used against employers.Conservative · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,248 words) →
Small and medium-sized enterprises lack HR resources to handle compliance; Bill will damage them disproportionately and thus undermine claimed growth benefits.Conservative · Voted aye · Read full speech (105 words) →
Mike AmesburySupportive
Bill represents landmark change for labour movement; delivers manifesto commitment within 100 days and marks end of exploitative practices like zero-hours contracts and fire-and-rehire.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (605 words) →
Bill tackles harassment and insecurity; urges government to go further on paternity leave to address motherhood pay gap and create genuine gender equality in the workplace.Labour · Voted no · Read full speech (820 words) →
Bill threatens entrepreneurial spirit in Leicester by imposing costs and regulations that discourage small business creation and innovation.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,330 words) →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0