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Keir Starmer is facing rebellion from MPs after ministers abandoned plans to give workers immediate safeguards against unfair dismissal, a change breaking the campaign commitments.

MPs Voice Concerns

MPs including a previous cabinet member who led the worker protection legislation raised objections over the climbdown declared by ministers.

Cabinet members have removed the proposal to remove the 24-month "qualifying period" for workers to submit unfair firing complaints and enable them to proceed starting immediately in a new job, to facilitate passing the bill through lawmakers.

Government Impasse

The legislation became trapped in a dispute involving upper and lower chambers concerning the first draft to give workers the protection from the start, including proposals to outlaw predatory flexible hour arrangements.

The administration now aims to establish the protection regarding wrongful termination post six-month work period as an alternative, while other day-one rights to parental leave and illness compensation continue planned to go ahead, becoming active in the second quarter of 2026.

Opposition and Condemnation

The parliamentary representative for the northeastern constituency described the move as a "total abandonment" and committed to campaign for its cancellation.

"We cannot support that partial approach."

"This constitutes flawed decision-making and I will campaign to overturn this compromise."

Another Labour MP shared concern concerning inadequate dialogue, remarking: "There has been no discussion with the PLP. The upper chamber lacks authority regarding election promises, so why have we capitulated??"

Wider Consequences

Another representative commented: "Companies need not concern themselves regarding first-day entitlements, however laborers face significant risks from an employer who resists first-day entitlements."

The former employment minister confirmed that the decision "clearly represents a manifesto breach."

Ministerial Explanation

The education secretary explained existed a "genuine possibility" the implementation of the worker protection legislation could have experienced setbacks if the government had not made a U-turn over first-day rights against unfair dismissal.

"There has been discussion concerning the matter about unfair dismissal and the qualifying timeframe between businesses, trade unions and ministers, and after those talks understanding has been reached about the way forward, which is welcome."

The minister stressed that "It means that the eligibility timeframe will reduce from 24 months to half a year, and this occurs simultaneously with important day-one rights concerning illness compensation and around parental leave."

"However the danger present had advancement not occurred, those crucial protections could remain inactive from April next year."

When questioned about whether it amounted to an unfulfilled pledge, the minister responded: "Throughout the campaign document, the promise indicated was that we planned to cooperate with labor organizations, with employers, with public organizations, while discussing such entitlements we intended to implement."

"Consequently, dual elements remain to that, throughout the campaign document, the significant entitlements and the consultation."