This month, we’ve supported several clients through Settlement Agreements, and it got us thinking—why the sudden increase?
One possible reason could be the Employment Rights Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament. With sweeping reforms on the horizon, some employers may be choosing to resolve matters now, before the new rules come into force.
Whether it’s about avoiding future risk, navigating uncertainty, or simply tidying up before change, it’s clear that the Bill is already influencing how businesses are managing employee exits.
Key Dates – Employment Rights Bill Timeline:
10 October 2024 – The Employment Rights Bill was introduced in the House of Commons.
21 October 2024 – The Bill received its second reading, where MPs debated its general principles.
26 Nov 2024 – 16 Jan 2025 – The Public Bill Committee examined the Bill in detail across 21 sittings, with 264 amendments tabled.
11 March 2025 – The Bill reached the report stage in the House of Commons.
14 March 2025 – The Bill was introduced to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
Spring/Summer 2025 – The Bill is expected to complete its passage and receive Royal Assent, becoming law.
Late 2025 / Early 2026 – Phased implementation of new employment rights and legislation is anticipated.
Track the Bill on the UK Parliament website: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3737
Read the House of Lords briefing (PDF): https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/LLN-2025-0017/LLN-2025-0017.pdf
