Tracking law changes

The UK Government’s plans to Make Work Pay are likely to change multiple aspects of employment law. The right to claim unfair dismissal from day one of employment, earlier access to certain parental rights, the removal of qualification periods for statutory sick pay and the right to disconnect are a few examples.   

A commitment to deliver the majority of the government’s Make Work Pay proposals has been laid out in the Employment Rights Bill, which was introduced to parliament in October 2024. The government have committed to consulting on many of the most impactful proposals in the bill and amending it accordingly as it progresses through parliament. 

The government has stated that they expect to begin consulting on these reforms in 2025, meaning that the majority of reforms will take effect no earlier than 2026. Reforms of unfair dismissal will take effect no sooner than autumn 2026.

Use the table below to keep track of the progress of relevant and notable changes as more detail is revealed.

The CIPD also provides news updates of our work alongside UK Government in this area, and all employment law changes are shared in the employment law timetable and, once confirmed, in the relevant employment law pages. 

Read our analysis article from Ben Willmott, Head of Public Policy, on how proposed changes to unfair dismissal rules risk more insecure work. You can also read more about the CIPD's response to the Bill on our news article.