Closed petition: Pause Employment Rights Bill to assess impacts on SMEs

Closed on 28 July 2025

The Regulatory Policy Committee assessed eight of the twenty-three individual Impact Assessments for the Bill as “not fit for purpose”, six of which fall within the ‘highest impact’ measure category in the Bill’s summary impact assessment.

Small businesses are already facing increased costs from higher minimum wages, increased National Insurance, rents, rates, utility bills etc. We are concerned that the implementation of this bill could be the tipping point. We demand that the government slow down, reevaluate, and consult with SME owners. We believe it is crucial to rethink this to prevent irreversible damage to our small businesses.