Employment Rights Bill: motion relating to Lords Reason 120B
308
Ayes
—
153
Noes
Passed · Government won
185 did not vote
Analysis
Commons
Commons
Parliament voted on 5 November 2025 to support the government's position in a dispute with the House of Lords over the Employment Rights Bill, passing a motion that rejected or modified several Lords amendments. The result was 308 votes in favour and 153 against. The motion covered several contested areas of the Bill, including day one unfair dismissal rights, guaranteed hours for workers, provisions relating to heritage rail volunteering, trade union political funds, and the thresholds required for lawful industrial action ballots. The vote advances one of the most substantial pieces of employment legislation in years. In practical terms, it pushes forward protections such as day one rights against unfair dismissal, new obligations on employers to offer guaranteed hours to workers on zero-hours arrangements, and a reversal of trade union ballot thresholds introduced under the Trade Union Act 2016. The Bill affects millions of workers in sectors including hospitality, retail, and seasonal industries, as well as employers of all sizes and trade unions operating across the economy. The division split almost entirely along party lines. Labour MPs, including Labour and Co-operative members, voted unanimously in favour. Conservatives and Liberal Democrats voted against, joining Reform UK in opposition. Smaller parties including the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, and the Greens backed the government. There were no notable cross-party rebellions. The vote is part of a prolonged parliamentary back-and-forth between the Commons and the Lords, with further divisions on the Bill recorded in December 2025, suggesting the legislation continued to face resistance in the upper chamber before ultimately proceeding through Parliament.
Voting Aye meant
Support the government's version of the Employment Rights Bill, overriding Lords amendments and maintaining stronger employment protections including fairer unfair dismissal rules for young workers
Voting No meant
Back the Lords amendments, expressing concern that the government's employment rights changes will make employers less likely to hire young or entry-level workers and will harm business
461 voting MPs. Each dot is one vote; left-to-right by party. Grey dots in the centre are the 185 who did not vote.
Aye
No
Absent
Labour PartyWhipped Aye
256
0
106
Conservative and Unionist PartyWhipped No
0
87
29
Liberal DemocratsWhipped No
0
63
9
Labour and Co-operative PartyWhipped Aye
30
0
12
Independent
6
2
5
Scottish National PartyWhipped Aye
6
0
3
Reform UKWhipped No
0
3
5
Sinn Féin
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
1
0
4
Green Party of England and WalesWhipped Aye
4
0
—
Plaid CymruWhipped Aye
4
0
—
Social Democratic and Labour Party
1
0
1
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
0
0
1
Speaker
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
0
0
1
Ulster Unionist Party
0
0
1
Your Party
1
0
—
Defended rejecting Lords amendments on day-one unfair dismissal rights, guaranteed hours, and strike ballot thresholds; argued these are core manifesto commitments that will provide security and dignity for workers while supporting fair employers.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (5,845 words) →
Opposed the Bill as rushed and half-baked, warning it will reduce youth hiring, create unemployment, and burden small businesses with compliance costs; called for meaningful compromises on qualifying periods, seasonal work, and guaranteed hours obligations.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (1,798 words) →
Passionately defended the Bill as delivering a new deal for working people, rejecting compromise amendments as attempts to water down manifesto promises; emphasized worker dignity and cited support from businesses like the Co-op and Richer Sounds.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,434 words) →
Supported the Bill's aims but urged amendments to clarify probation periods, change guaranteed hours to a right-to-request model, and maintain the 50% ballot threshold; argued for balance between worker security and business flexibility.Liberal Democrat · Voted no · Read full speech (2,057 words) →
Strongly opposed Lords amendments, particularly on zero-hours contracts and ballot thresholds; argued day-one unfair dismissal rights are essential and did not prevent probation periods; cited OECD evidence that employment regulation does not reduce employment.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,652 words) →
Defended the Bill as a manifesto pledge voted for by millions; cited research showing 73% of employers support day-one unfair dismissal rights; challenged Opposition claims about union influence by noting trade union support is transparent and democratic.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (344 words) →
Strongly opposed all Lords amendments, arguing they would water down manifesto commitments on day-one rights, guaranteed hours, and ballot thresholds; framed the Bill as essential to raising living standards after 14 years of wage suppression.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,139 words) →
Declared no concessions on the Bill; opposed political fund opt-in and ballot thresholds as undemocratic attacks on worker voice; committed to full repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (728 words) →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0