Happy new year to all our readers.
It looks as though the government has abandoned the long awaited Employment Bill. But that doesn’t mean 2023 is likely to be a quiet year. The government is pushing ahead with the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill which, if passed, will allow it to “set fire” to all employment and health and safety legislation derived from the EU by the end of 2023.
It has also introduced legislation which will limit the rights of some employees to take strike action to minimise risk and convenience to the general public.
It’s also putting its weight behind several private members bills which are currently going through parliament which will deliver benefits to pregnant women, new parents, carers, victims of sexual harassment and those in hospitality where tips are given.
Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill
Under the European Union Withdrawal Act most UK laws in existence on or before 31 December 2020 were preserved.
The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill will repeal all EU derived laws by the end of 2023 (although the government will be able to extend that deadline to 2026). It will then be able to make sweeping changes to established laws in respect of working time and holidays, discrimination, TUPE, agency workers, part-time workers, fixed-term employees and new parents.
The government will have to legislate to re-introduce (or adapt) the EU laws it wants keep before that very tight deadline. It doesn't look as though...
Images of the Whitegate fuel protests earlier this month were altered to make it appear gardaí were violent towards protesters. The AI-doctored images were shared widely online, including by inter...