While the Commons noisily debated press regulation, MPs elsewhere in the House quietly signed away workers’ rights. On a delegated legislation committee (a backdoor means of sneaking through contentious amendments), nine Conservatives and two Liberal Democrats voted to reduce the consultation period for collective redundancies from 90 days to 45. This reduction is based on a proposal in the infamous Beecroft Report.
At present, employers planning to make 100 or more redundancies are legally required to consult with trade unions for 90 days to help to seek alternatives to job losses. Jaguar Land Rover proposed making over 1,000 staff redundant in 2009, but later avoided job losses after identifying £70 millions of savings during the consultation. ■