17 July 2024

New Government sets out its work plan

The first King’s Speech for Keir Starmer’s Government saw 40 bills announced for introduction in the coming Parliamentary session. And it was, at 1421 words, the longest since 2003. 

A few bills introduced by the former Government, but which didn’t pass before the election, will be carried over. However, Labour’s first work plan in Government for 15 years is designed for momentum and change, so the bulk of the agenda is based on manifesto commitments.   

The theme was economic stability, certainty and growth, helping ‘the country move on from the recent cost of living challenges by prioritising wealth creation for all communities’.  

Here are the key areas we’ll be watching out for over the coming year. If you have views on the proposals, let us know, as some measures will go through a consultation process.

Employment 

• Labour’s ‘Make Work Pay’ agenda, as set out in their manifesto and a 2023 policy paper, is set to become the Employment Rights Bill. It plans to introduce various ‘day one rights’ reforms, including Statutory Sick Pay, parental leave and unfair dismissal. Further requirements, including Bereavement Leave, banning zero-hours contracts, fire-and-rehire reforms and boosting the role of trade unions, are also set out. You can read more about the rights the bill is likely to include here. 

Skills

• The Skills England Bill will establish Skills England (more on that here) which will bring together central and local government, businesses, training providers, unions, the Industrial Strategy Council and the Migration Advisory Committee. The commitment to reform the Apprenticeship Levy was also confirmed. This is covered here too. 

• Legislation on race equality will be enshrined in a Draft Equality (Race & Disability) Bill, which will set out the full right to equal pay and introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay reporting (likely only for employers with over 250 staff).

Finance

• A National Wealth Fund Bill intends to align the UK Infrastructure Bank and the British Business Bank (which provides access to finance for SMEs) to simplify support for businesses and investors. 

Trade

• Labour has already explicitly ruled out a return to the Single Market, Customs Union or freedom of movement arrangements in place prior to Brexit. However, it has said that the Product Safety and Metrology Bill announced today will ensure that ‘the law can be updated to recognise new of updates EU product regulations, including the CE marking, where appropriate to prevent additional costs for businesses and provide regulatory stability.’