Business
Labour ditches day-one protection from unfair dismissal in U-turn
Henry Zeffman,Chief political correspondentand
Paul Seddon,Political reporter
Getty ImagesThe government has U-turned on its manifesto commitment to offer all workers the right to claim unfair dismissal from their first day in a job.
Ministers now plan to introduce the right after six months instead, after business groups voiced concerns it would discourage firms from hiring.
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.
Other new day-one rights to sick pay and paternity leave will still go ahead, coming into effect in April 2026.
A source said most unions backed the changes, though Unite said the U-turn would “damage workers’ confidence”.
Business groups welcomed the announcement, which followed talks between major industry groups and unions.
In a statement, the six business groups involved in the discussions said companies would be “relieved” – but added firms still had “concerns about many of the powers” contained in the government’s employment package.
Currently, employers face additional legal hurdles if they want to sack employees who have been in their role continuously for two years.
They must identify a fair reason for dismissal – such as conduct or capability – and show that they acted reasonably and followed a fair process.
Labour had planned to abolish this qualifying period completely, alongside a new legal probation period, likely to have been nine months.
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.
Labour pledged to create “basic rights from day one to parental leave, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal”.
But asked if it was a breach of the Labour manifesto, Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: “No.”
Instead, he argued the manifesto had pledged to “bring people together” and “that this would not be legislation that pits one side against another”.
Speaking to broadcasters, Kyle said the compromise had been found by “unions and the employers” and it was “not my job to stand in the way of that compromise”.
The government now plans to implement unfair dismissal protection after six months instead of day one, and ditch the new legal probation period.
In recent weeks, the House of Lords has twice voted in favour of a six-month period, slowing the legislation’s passage through Parliament.
The Fair Work Agency – a new body tasked with overseeing the new rights – will also be set up in 2026, the government announced.
‘Humiliating’
There had been fears day one rights could overwhelm an employment tribunals system already facing huge backlogs.
One union source has told the BBC that the “vast majority of unions” present at discussions were comfortable with introducing unfair dismissal only after six months.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) welcomed the news, adding the “absolute priority now is to get these rights – like day one sick pay – on the statute book so that working people can start benefitting from them from next April.”
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak called on the House of Lords to “respect Labour’s manifesto mandate” and ensure the legislation was passed as soon as possible.
Kate Nicholls, chair of UK Hospitality, said: “This is a pragmatic change that addresses one of hospitality businesses key concerns.”
The six month waiting peroid would “give businesses much-needed breathing room and avoid further damage to employment opportunities,” she added.
Labour MP Andy McDonald branded the move a “complete betrayal” and vowed to push for its reversal.
“When Keir Starmer asked me to work with our trade unions to develop a programme for the biggest uplift in workers’ rights and protections in a generation, I did exactly as I was asked and we produced the New Deal for Working People,” he said.
But Unite the Union – a major Labour donor through the affiliation fees its members pay to the party – hit out at the U-turn, adding the employment bill was now a “shell of its former self”.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “These constant row backs will only damage workers’ confidence that the protections promised will be worth the wait. Labour needs to keep its promises.”
The Conservatives called the U-turn “humiliating” but added that the legislation was “still not fit-for-purpose”.
“Keir Starmer must grow a backbone, stand up to his union paymasters and ditch every single job-destroying anti-growth measure in the employment rights bill now,” added shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith.
Business
Reliance Industries Limited Prioritises Domestic LPG And Gas Supplies Amid Global Volatility
Last Updated:
Reliance stated that its teams are working around the clock to align refinery operations with national requirements
Alongside the boost in LPG production, Reliance has committed to diverting natural gas produced from its KG-D6 Basin to support priority sectors. File image
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has announced a strategic shift in its operations to bolster India’s energy security, committing to maximise domestic fuel supplies as global energy markets face heightened uncertainty.
In a formal media statement, the company confirmed it is taking proactive measures to increase the production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from its integrated refining and petrochemical complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat. As the world’s largest refining hub, the facility is currently being optimised to enhance output, ensuring that supplies for Indian households remain stable and reliable during the current period of market volatility.
Reliance stated that its teams are working around the clock to align refinery operations with national requirements, ensuring a consistent flow of essential cooking fuel to the domestic market.
Alongside the boost in LPG production, Reliance has committed to diverting natural gas produced from its KG-D6 Basin to support priority sectors. This reallocation is being carried out in strict accordance with Government of India guidelines and national energy priorities.
The move is intended to ensure that critical sectors—including fertiliser production and power generation—receive the necessary energy inputs to maintain essential services across the country.
The company emphasised that its current operational adjustments are designed to place India’s energy security and the well-being of Indian families at the forefront of its corporate agenda.
“Reliance will continue to work closely with the Government of India and remain fully compliant with all national guidelines and allocation priorities,” the statement read. The firm reiterated its commitment to supporting the nation during times of global uncertainty, ensuring that energy supplies are directed towards the communities and sectors that require them most.
March 10, 2026, 22:18 IST
Read More
Home sales made a small gain to start the year, but higher mortgage rates now could throw cold water on the spring season.
Existing home sales in February rose 1.7% from January to a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate of 4.09 million units, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales were down 1.4% from February of last year.
This count represents closed sales, so deals were likely inked in December and January, when mortgage rates fell a bit and stayed solidly in a low range near 6% on the 30-year-fixed mortgage. Rates were about a full percentage point higher the year before.
“Despite the modest gain in home sales, actual housing demand remains muted relative to wage growth and job gains,” Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the Realtors, said in a release. “Wage growth is now outpacing home price growth by almost four percentage points. Mortgage rates are also measurably lower compared to a year ago.”
Yun also noted that there are over 6 million more jobs now than there were in 2019, yet home sales per year are down by 1 million.
Lower mortgage rates helped improve affordability slightly, but low inventory is still a significant headwind. There were 1.29 million units for sale at the end of February, an increase of 2.4% from January and 4.9% from February 2025. At the current sales pace, that is a 3.8-month supply, unchanged from January. A six-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyer and seller.
More sellers who delisted their homes last fall, due to slower sales and weak consumer confidence, are relisting their homes now, according to Redfin, a real estate brokerage. Nearly 45,000 homes that were delisted last year were relisted for sale in January. That is the highest January figure since Redfin began tracking this metric a decade ago and represents a record 3.6% of homes that were on the market in January.
“Inventory is growing, but sluggishly,” Yun said. “If demand picks up notably in the coming months and outpaces supply growth, home prices will inevitably rise. That is why increasing supply is so important to help limit home price growth, improve housing affordability, and boost transactions.”
Tight supply, however, is keeping prices just barely higher. The median price of a home sold in February was $398,000, an increase of 0.3% year over year. Sales continue to be strongest in the highest price category, properties listed at $1 million or above. Sales were down sharply on the lowest end of the market.
It continues to take longer to sell a home, at 47 days, up from 42 days one year ago. First-time buyers represented 34% of total sales, an increase from 31% a year ago. Investors made up 16% of sales, unchanged from a year ago.
Pete Hegseth Is Pushing Defense Employees to Volunteer With DHS
White House contradicts claim of US Navy escort in Hormuz Strait
White House contradicts claim of US Navy escort in Hormuz Strait
-
Politics4 days agoIndia let Iran warship dock the day US sank another off Sri Lanka, say officials
-
Sports4 days agoPakistan set for FIH Pro League debut | The Express Tribune
-
Entertainment3 days agoHarry Styles kicks off new era with ‘One Night Only’ comeback show
-
Business4 days agoRestaurant group changes name after bid to buys pubs across the UK
-
Business1 week agoLabour parliamentarians urge UK Government to oppose Rosebank oil field
-
Business4 days agoHome heating oil: ‘Most of my pension has gone on home heating oil’
-
Sports4 days agoWinners and losers of the 2026 NHL trade deadline
-
Sports1 week agoUSA vs. Argentina (Mar 1, 2026) Live Score – ESPN