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  "path": "/money/labour-employment-reforms-rejected-by-workers",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-24T11:51:28.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Oil tops $100 again as Iran calls Donald Trump's 'positive talks' claim 'fake news'",
    "Inheritance tax warning as pension rule change could leave families facing unexpected bills",
    "Bridget Phillipson to review key £100,000 childcare rule as Labour spending hits £9billion",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nFresh polling conducted by Survation for the Independent Business Network suggests a disconnect between Labour’s Employment Rights Act and the priorities of workers in small and medium‑sized enterprises.\n\nThe survey found that just seven per cent of SME employees consider union membership important for career progression — the lowest‑ranked factor measured.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBy contrast, 87 per cent of respondents said they feel secure in their current roles.\n\nThe findings raise questions about whether the Government’s workplace reforms reflect the concerns of employees in smaller firms.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWhen asked about barriers to progression, workers pointed to issues unrelated to union representation.\n\nLimited training opportunities, restricted promotion pathways, economic pressures and tight budgets were cited as the main obstacles.\n\nAmong 25‑ to 34‑year‑olds, almost a third said insufficient training was their biggest barrier, compared with 13 per cent who mentioned union membership.\n\nFor those earning under £20,000, 43 per cent said better training and skills development would support their careers, while just eight per cent said union membership would help.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOverall, the results indicate a stronger focus on skills development than on collective representation.\n\nUnder the Employment Rights Act, trade unions are granted access to workplaces with as few as 21 employees, with businesses required to provide paid time off for union representatives and allow on‑site recruitment activity.\n\nThese provisions mark a significant shift for smaller firms operating with limited resources. According to the British Chambers of Commerce, only two per cent of businesses support mandatory union access.\n\nDespite this, the Government is pressing ahead with the legislation, which requires employers to accommodate union activity regardless of whether staff have requested representation.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Oil tops $100 again as Iran calls Donald Trump's 'positive talks' claim 'fake news'\n  * Inheritance tax warning as pension rule change could leave families facing unexpected bills\n  * Bridget Phillipson to review key £100,000 childcare rule as Labour spending hits £9billion\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIndependent Business Network chairman John Longworth told GB News the findings highlight the mismatch between policy and workforce priorities.\n\n“Britain’s economy relies on small family‑run businesses driven by ambitious people who get things done,” he said.\n\n“Our poll shows that these hard‑working people don’t want union lectures on the shop floor.\n\nThey want good training and an economy that’s thriving to provide them with opportunities to get ahead.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe added ministers should “start encouraging our SMEs to grow and create jobs by exempting them from the administrative burden of mandatory union access\".\n\nConservative MP Andrew Griffith echoed the criticism: “This poll reminds us, unions with a right to roam aren’t what employees are crying out for to help them in their careers,” he said.\n\n“They need a dynamic economy providing opportunities and people investing in their development.”\n\nHe added: “The new union access rights only benefit the Labour party, not Britain’s workers. The Government should be encouraging our SMEs to grow, create jobs, and nurture their employees by exempting all businesses with fewer than 250 workers from the union’s right to roam.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Labour's employment reforms REJECTED by workers as Britons turn back on trade unions"
}