Labour MPs to demand more concessions on workers’ rights after government climbdown
Labour MPs are preparing to demand further concessions on workers’ rights as the price of accepting ministers’ decision to ditch plans for day-one protection against unfair dismissal.MPs who are unhappy about the move will push for stronger protections in other areas, such as bogus self-employment arrangements, as part of Labour’s “make work pay” agenda.But the government looks set to get its amended employment rights package through the Commons despite backbench anger at the eleventh-hour compromise, which critics say breaches a Labour manifesto commitment.Ministers announced on Thursday that they were axing a plan to give workers the right to make an unfair dismissal claim against an employer from the first day in a new job.Andy McDonald, Neil Duncan-Jordan and Rachael Maskell have been among the Labour MPs to criticise the decision.
But it is understood that Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister who spearheaded the legislation and has previously warned against attempts to water it down, is not planning to lead a rebellion over the climbdown,A source said Rayner wants to see the bill pass its final Commons stages next month rather than risking further delay, and that she intends to engage with colleagues over the government’s amendments next week,Another source familiar with her thinking said she was not minded to oppose the compromise because it had been thrashed out by the unions,It is understood that Peter Kyle, the business secretary, spoke to Rayner about the compromise on Thursday,Justin Madders, the former employment rights minister who helped shape the legislation alongside Rayner until September, said the government’s climbdown “raises questions about how committed the government are to the remaining bill and the wider make work pay agenda.
We need to see some serious assurances that they will deliver on the rest of it,”One priority backbenchers have identified is a review of worker status to crack down on bogus self-employment – the practice of employing people as freelancers so that they are not eligible for basic protections,The government now intends to introduce the right over unfair dismissal after six months of service instead of on day one, while other day-one rights to paternity leave and sick pay are still due to go ahead, coming into effect in April 2026,Sign up to Headlines UKGet the day’s headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morningafter newsletter promotionGovernment sources have insisted that the compromise was necessary to pass the legislation before Christmas in time to enforce those protections in April, instead of risking a protracted parliamentary process,The deal was thrashed out in secret negotiations between business and union representatives on Monday and Tuesday.
The talks were convened by the government to break a parliamentary impasse over the proposals,Conservative, Liberal Democrat and cross-bench members of the House of Lords had strongly resisted the plan to give workers protection against unfair dismissal on day one,Key concessions have been made to the unions in return for the climbdown,The six-month right over unfair dismissal will be enshrined in primary legislation, and the government will entirely remove the cap on the amount that employees can claim,Downing Street and senior ministers have insisted that the change does not amount to a breach of Labour’s election promises, pointing out that the manifesto promised to “consult fully with businesses, workers, and civil society on how to put our plans into practice before legislation is passed”.
The manifesto pledged that the bill’s provisions would “include … introducing basic rights from day one to parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal”.Kate Dearden, the employment rights minister, held a virtual meeting with Labour MPs in an attempt to mollify concerns on Friday morning.Kyle and Dearden are planning to continue engaging with backbenchers over the weekend.
Oh yes he is! Kiefer Sutherland dives into the world of panto
Hollywood megastars hit Leeds this year to make Tinsel Town, a feelgood festive comedy about panto. The 24 star, Rebel Wilson and more talk about their addiction to Greggs sausage rolls – and epic brawls with Danny DyerTwenty-odd years ago, I binged a TV series on DVD for the first time. At my mate’s house in a village outside Harrogate, I was glued to Jack Bauer shooting his way through 24. We probably only made it to episode six before surrendering to sleep for school the next day.Fast forward to the start of this year, and photos are all over the local news of Kiefer Sutherland out and about in nearby market towns Knaresborough and Wetherby
O come out ye faithful: a joyful roundup of UK culture this Christmas
The 12 Beans of ChristmasTouring to 19 December Last year, character comedians Adam Riches and John Kearns joined forces for an archly silly tribute to crooners Michael Ball and Alfie Boe. Now Riches is back with another leftfield celebrity riff as he gives his Game of Thrones-era Sean Bean impression (as seen on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and his Edinburgh show Dungeons’n’Bastards) a yuletide twist. Rachel AroestiThe BFGRoyal Shakespeare theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, to 7 February Are you ready for snozzcumbers and dream-catchers, for norphans and whizzpoppers? A stellar team have come together for this world premiere of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic, with a script courtesy of Tom Wells (Jumpers for Goalposts) and puppetry by the masterful Toby Olié (Spirited Away). John Leader heads up the cast for this beloved story of an orphan befriending a giant; Daniel Evans directs. Kate WyverCount Arthur Strong Is Charles Dickens in A Christmas CarolTouring to 14 December The reliably bewildered and chronically digressive one-time variety star takes his tangent-riddled festive show on tour again
Nominate your favourite Australian children’s picture book of all time
A good picture book is pure magic – and Australia has produced some of the best. Nominate your favourite hereThe best children’s picture books can be pure magic for adults, too: witty and wise prose or poetry that is a joy to read aloud, coupled with vivid, evocative illustrations that live on in the memory – and the culture – for decades.Australia has produced more than its fair share of classics, from the effortlessly educational to the cheekily irreverent, and we want you to nominate your favourite for a major reader’s poll we will run in late January: the best Australian children’s picture book of all time.To be eligible a book must be:Primarily intended to be read aloud to children who don’t yet read independently;Able to be read in a few minutes – we’re looking for a child’s picture book, rather than a graphic novel or illustrated chapter book;Written by an Australian (or someone we’ve claimed);Published in Australia.If the respondent is under 18, a parent or guardian must complete the form on their behalf
Jimmy Kimmel: ‘Thankful that we only have five weeks left in this year’
Late-night hosts recapped Donald Trump’s especially weird address at the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon.On his final show before the Thanksgiving holiday, Jimmy Kimmel counted his blessings. “This year, I am most thankful that we only have five weeks left in this year,” he joked on Tuesday evening.Meanwhile at the White House “the presidential ketchup boat is filled to the brim and ready to go.” On Tuesday, at the “freshly paved over Rose Garden”, the president presided over the annual pardon of the turkeys, “which at this point are the only thing that Trump hasn’t pardoned this year”
Seth Meyers on Trump’s meeting with Mamdani: ‘I’ve never seen Trump this smitten before’
Late-night hosts discussed Donald Trump’s strangely friendly meeting with New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.Seth Meyers devoted his Monday Closer Look segment to the bizarrely friendly White House meeting between Donald Trump and New York’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, where the president seemed downright pleased to be meeting the Democratic socialist that his administration has long demonized.“He looks like a five-year-old meeting Mickey Mouse,” said an amused Meyers. Though Trump had previously called Mamdani a “communist” and a “total nutjob” the president seemed charmed by the 34-year-old mayor.“I’ve never seen Trump this smitten before,” the Late Night host said
Graham Linehan cleared of harassing trans activist but convicted of damaging phone
The Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has been cleared of harassing a transgender activist on social media but found guilty of criminal damage of their mobile phone outside a conference in London last year.The 57-year-old flew from Arizona to appear at Westminster magistrates court in person on Tuesday, where the judgment was delivered.Linehan denied harassing Sophia Brooks on social media between 11 and 27 October 2024, and a charge of criminal damage of their mobile phone on 19 October last year outside the Battle of Ideas conference in Westminster.Judge Clarke fined Linehan £500 and ordered him to pay costs of £650 and a statutory surcharge of £200. Linehan’s lawyer, Sarah Vine KC, asked that he be given 28 days to pay the full amount
Asda hits out at government for ‘killing confidence’ among consumers
OBR challenges claims Reeves dropped income tax rise due to rosier forecasts
Germany to urge EU to soften 2035 ban on sale of new petrol and diesel cars
Ryanair closes frequent flyers club after members take advantage of discounts
JP Morgan boss gave go-ahead for new £3bn tower in London after UK assurances
Pub chain Mitchells & Butlers faces £130m hit from rising wage and food costs