Responding to the unveiling of the Employment Rights Bill, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:

“We applaud the new Government on beginning to deliver on its promise to boost workers’ rights and create the conditions where all workers are treated with respect and dignity at work.

“The NASUWT’s call for a New Deal for Teachers, which depends on having a secure employment rights framework that protects all workers, including agency workers, from discrimination, unfair dismissal, and the scourge of zero hours contracts and fire and rehire practices, is now being delivered.

“This is legislation that should help achieve fairness, security and a stronger voice for working people.

“New and improved rights for parental and bereavement leave, flexible working and new measures to tackle workplace discrimination have been long overdue and will help to build an equitable and inclusive teacher workforce in our schools and colleges.

“However, legislation alone is not enough; this legislation must also be backed with stronger enforcement of workers’ rights and action against unscrupulous employer practices.”