I am immensely proud to have helped shape and support the passage of the Employment Rights Act — the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.

In April 2026, the following changes came into force:

• Removed the lower earnings limit for statutory sick pay, expanding to the lowest earners.

• Remove the three-day waiting period for statutory sick pay.

• Introduced a day-one right to Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave.

• Introduced a new right to leave for bereaved partners after the death of a child’s mother or primary adopter

• Simplified trade union laws, making it easier for unions to get recognition in workplaces

• Asked employers with 250+ employees to publish gender equality action plans, setting out the steps they will take to close the gender pay gap and support employees experiencing menopause.

• Strengthened protections for whistleblowers raising concerns about sexual harassment at work.

• Doubled the maximum penalty limit for collective redundancies, worth up to 180 days’ pay for each affected employee.