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Keir Starmer is facing internal dissent after ministers dropped proposals to provide employees immediate safeguards against unfair dismissal, a reversal violating the campaign commitments.

Parliamentarians Raise Alarms

Parliamentarians such as an ex-government official who led the worker protection legislation have voiced concerns about the concession declared by ministers.

Ministers have axed the proposal to eliminate the two-year waiting requirement for workers to make an unfair dismissal claim and permit them to act starting immediately in a new job, in an attempt to pass the legislation through parliament.

Legislative Deadlock

The proposal found itself in a standoff between peers and MPs concerning the first draft to provide employee safeguards on day one, including proposals to outlaw predatory flexible hour arrangements.

The government now intends to introduce the right regarding wrongful termination following half a year employment instead, while other day-one rights to fatherhood time off and sick pay are still due to proceed, coming into effect in the second quarter of 2026.

Backlash and Criticism

The Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East described the move as a "complete betrayal" and pledged to advocate for its overturning.

"We cannot support that partial approach."

"This is a wrong-headed move and I intend to advocate to have this concession reversed."

Another Labour MP expressed frustration about the lack of consultation, observing: "There has been absence of dialogue with parliamentary colleagues. The Lords don't have primacy over a manifesto commitment, therefore why did we surrender??"

Extended Ramifications

A third Labour MP stated: "Businesses should not worry regarding first-day entitlements, however laborers face significant risks from businesses who resists first-day entitlements."

The former employment minister asserted that the decision "undoubtedly constitutes a broken promise."

Ministerial Explanation

The learning department head explained there was a "very real prospect" the execution of the employment rights bill could have experienced setbacks if the government had not made a reversal concerning immediate safeguards against wrongful termination.

"Dialogue has taken place on the point around wrongful termination and the qualifying timeframe with employers, trade unions and ministers, and following that discussion understanding has been reached about the way forward, which is welcome."

The secretary highlighted that "This indicates the time limit will come down from 24 months to half a year, and that runs alongside significant first-day entitlements regarding health-related payments and about family time off."

"But the risk here was had advancement not occurred, those important rights might not be implemented starting spring 2026."

Following inquiry concerning if it constituted a broken promise, the secretary answered: "Throughout the campaign document, the promise indicated was that we would work with trade unions, with companies, with community groups, in consulting on those protections we intended to implement."

"Therefore, two components exist regarding that matter, within the manifesto, the crucial protections and the discussion process."