High Pay Centre response to the Business and Trade Committee’s first call for evidence on the Employment Rights Bill
The High Pay Centre has submitted evidence to the Business and Trade Committee in response to its consultation on the Employment Rights Bill. The submission emphasises the importance of improving workplace protections and giving workers a stronger voice in decision-making processes.
The proposed legislation provides a vital opportunity to address the UK’s persistently low levels of worker representation and high inequality. The High Pay Centre’s response outlines key recommendations to strengthen the Bill and ensure its success in creating fairer, more democratic workplaces:
- Clearer regulations requiring meaningful worker consultation on key business decisions, helping to align corporate behaviour with the interests of workers and society as a whole.
- Modernised trade union access rights, including provisions for digital engagement and stronger protections against interference.
- Refinements to pay ratio disclosures to close loopholes and expand coverage to a broader range of large employers, supporting fairer pay practices and reducing inequality.
The UK ranks poorly compared to other European countries in worker representation, which contributes to high levels of inequality and low productivity. Research cited in the submission demonstrates that stronger worker voice can enhance business performance, reduce turnover, and boost economic growth. The High Pay Centre’s evidence draws on its wider research, including the recently published Charter for Fair Pay, which outlines policies for a more participatory and democratic workplace culture.