PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(11 March 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that employment law protects workers engaged in collective bargaining or union recognition processes from redundancy or dismissal.

Asked by:
Sarah Hall (Labour)

It is unlawful for an employer to dismiss a worker for being a member of a trade union and for dismissing or imposing detriments on a worker for engaging in trade union activity, including activity related to the trade union recognition process.

Previously it was only workers who were classed as employees who were protected from dismissal for industrial action. To ensure all workers are protected, this government has introduced new protection from detriments in s. 236A in the Employment Rights Act, which means other ("limb (b)") workers are now also protected from dismissal for taking industrial action.

Answered by:
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