Employment Rights Bill: Motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 48
328
Ayes
—
160
Noes
Passed · Government won
161 did not vote
Analysis
Commons
Commons
**What happened:** The House of Commons voted on 15 September 2025 to disagree with Lords Amendment 48 to the Employment Rights Bill, effectively rejecting a modification that the House of Lords had made to the government's flagship employment legislation. The motion passed by 328 votes to 160, with the government securing a comfortable majority. **Why it matters:** By overturning Lords Amendment 48, the Commons reasserted the government's original framework for employment rights in that particular provision. The Employment Rights Bill is a wide-ranging piece of legislation intended to strengthen protections for workers across the UK, and Lords amendments that alter its terms can significantly change how those protections operate in practice. Rejecting this amendment means the government's preferred approach to that element of the Bill will proceed, affecting employees and employers across the economy. **The politics:** The vote divided almost entirely along government-versus-opposition lines. All 274 voting Labour MPs and 34 Labour and Co-operative MPs backed the government, joined by the Scottish National Party (7 votes), Plaid Cymru (3), the Greens (3), and most voting Independents (4). The Conservatives (83), Liberal Democrats (66), Reform UK (6), and the Democratic Unionist Party (2) all voted against. There were no notable cross-party rebellions on the government benches. The vote is part of a prolonged back-and-forth between the Commons and the Lords over the Employment Rights Bill, with related divisions in December 2025 showing a similar pattern of government majorities in the 300s overcoming Lords-backed opposition.
Voting Aye meant
Support the government's version of the Employment Rights Bill, rejecting the Lords amendment that would have preserved individual workers' choice of representative (union, mediator, or other professional) in workplace proceedings
Voting No meant
Back the Lords amendment preserving workers' right to choose their own representative — whether a trade union, mediator, or other qualified professional — rather than limiting that choice as the government's Bill does
488 voting MPs. Each dot is one vote; left-to-right by party. Grey dots in the centre are the 161 who did not vote.
Aye
No
Absent
Labour PartyWhipped Aye
274
0
88
Conservative and Unionist PartyWhipped No
0
83
33
Liberal DemocratsWhipped No
0
66
6
Labour and Co-operative PartyWhipped Aye
34
0
8
Independent
4
1
8
Scottish National PartyWhipped Aye
7
0
2
Reform UKWhipped No
0
6
2
Sinn Féin
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
0
2
3
Green Party of England and WalesWhipped Aye
3
0
1
Plaid CymruWhipped Aye
3
0
1
Social Democratic and Labour Party
2
0
—
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
0
0
1
Speaker
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
0
1
—
Ulster Unionist Party
0
1
—
Your Party
1
0
—
Government will reject most Lords amendments and proceed with day-one unfair dismissal rights, employer-led guaranteed hours offers, and expanded bereavement leave, striking a balance between worker protection and business flexibility.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (7,412 words) →
The Bill will damage growth and employment; Lords amendments are reasonable and should be accepted, especially on probation periods (6 months instead of day one), zero-hours contract flexibility, and trade union ballot thresholds.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (2,054 words) →
The Bill is landmark legislation delivering on Labour's manifesto; day-one unfair dismissal rights and employer-led guaranteed hours are essential to restore dignity at work and end the race to the bottom.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (2,898 words) →
Support Bill's aims but concerned about implementation detail left to secondary legislation; favour Lords amendments on guaranteed hours as a right to request (not obligation), 48-hour notice periods, and seasonal work protections.Liberal Democrat · Voted no · Read full speech (2,716 words) →
Challenge Government on business support; claim most small and medium-sized businesses oppose the Bill despite Government assertions.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (54 words) →
Acknowledge some business concerns on probation tribunal involvement and sick pay waiting days; urge continued engagement with chambers of commerce.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (129 words) →
Small businesses fear sickness absence costs will rise dramatically; request assurance that Bill will not overwhelm businesses with additional payroll costs.DUP · Voted no · Read full speech (141 words) →
Welcome most of Bill but urge Government to reconsider Lords amendment 61 on heritage railways to allow youth volunteering safely and legally.Plaid Cymru · Voted aye · Read full speech (194 words) →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0