Delivering on our pledges for working families in High Peak

This week I spoke in Parliament in the debate about introducing new employment rights for workers in High Peak and across the country.

14 years of Conservative governments has left the UK’s employment laws outdated and our economy blighted by insecurity, poor productivity, and low pay.

Labour’s Employment Rights Bill delivers on a key manifesto commitment. It will provide the framework for the biggest change in worker’s rights in 50 years, including banning exploitative zero-hour contracts and abolishing the scourge of employees being dismissed only to offer them continued work on less good terms and conditions.

In the debate I chose to focus on the vital reforms the Bill will deliver for young families and in particular women in High Peak.

Before becoming an MP, I was an employment lawyer advising businesses, workers, and trade unions. One of the occupational hazards was friends and family wanting advice on workplace rights. The most depressing part of those chats was that it was new Mums that wanted and needed the advice the most.

The stories were always basically the same: just as they were about to return to work after maternity leave or just after they had, their employer had informed them they were no longer needed. Their job no longer existed. They were at risk of redundancy.

The joys of that first year to 18 months with a new baby is all too often tarnished because of worries about the security of the mother’s job. An estimated 4,000 pregnant women and mothers returning from maternity leave are dismissed each year at present.

We must do better. If we are going to improve productivity and grow our economy, we have to show young families that they matter and that their contribution to our society and economy is valued.

This labour government will do that. The Employment Rights Bill will give us the power to ban the dismissal of women who are pregnant, on maternity leave and during a six month return to work period.

An additional 1.5 million parents will be eligible to take parental leave by making it a day one right.

Nearly two million people who are out of the labour market because they are looking after family, or their home will benefit from new policies on flexible working.

Looking after a family and children is stressful enough without having to worry about how it might impact on your career. So, when I voted for these new rights, I had in mind every new mum and young family in High Peak who deserves to know we are looking out for them, and we are on their side.