Rayner is again deciding policy. This time from afar…
After talks with Business Secretary Peter Kyle, Rayner has arranged for watered-down six-month dismissal protections to come in from 1 January 2027. They’ll then backdate to anyone employed since July 2026…
The government appears more than happy to have Rayner, who resigned in disgrace over her second tax scandal, directing policy. Local Government minister Alison McGovern told the Today Programme:
“Angela believes in working class people having decent rights at work, I don’t think it will be a surprise to anyone that she is making sure that the legislation goes ahead in a way that is effective.”
Rayner’s intervention comes at the same time as Labour agrees – as Guido revealed yesterday – to remove the maximum payout cap in unfair dismissal claims. It is currently capped at the lower of one year’s salary or £118,223. This means that payouts are in theory unlimited. At a time when tribunals are an increasingly routine tool to harass businesses…
The government had previously planned October 2027 as the start date for dismissal restrictions. Because even most ministers know the Employment Rights Bill is poisonous…
