Labour ditches day-one protection from unfair dismissal in U-turn

"The government has U-turned on its manifesto commitment to offer all workers protection against unfair dismissal from their first day in a job. Ministers now plan to introduce the right after six months instead, following concerns from business groups. The government argued it was making the climbdown to stop its employment legislation being delayed in the House of Lords, where it has run into opposition."

"Currently, employees need to have been in a role for a minimum of two years before they are entitled to protection from unfair dismissal. Labour had planned to abolish this qualifying period completely, alongside a new legal probation period to be determined after a consultation. The promise was a central pledge in Labour's manifesto ahead of last year's general election, and a key plank of its Employment Rights Bill."

The government has U-turned on its manifesto commitment to offer all workers protection against unfair dismissal from their first day in a job. Ministers now plan to introduce the right after six months, citing concerns from business groups and opposition in the House of Lords. Other new day-one rights to sick pay and paternity leave will go ahead, coming into effect in April 2026. Currently employees must have been in a role for two years to claim protection from unfair dismissal. Labour had sought to abolish that qualifying period and create a new legal probation period following consultation.

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