Lords motion to approve. Amendment to regret disagreed to on division (56 to 82). Original motion agreed to on question.

Lords motion to approve. Amendment to regret disagreed to on division (56 to 82). Original motion agreed to on question.

My Lords, the draft code of practice was laid before the House on 6 July 2026. I note the regret amendment tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Sharpe of Epsom. I am grateful for the opportunity to debate the code and will address the concerns raised by the noble Lord...

My Lords, the draft code of practice was laid before the House on 6 July 2026. I note the regret amendment tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Sharpe of Epsom. I am grateful for the opportunity to debate the code and will address the concerns raised by the noble Lord...

Moved by

Lord Sharpe of Epsom

Moved by

Lord Sharpe of Epsom

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for explaining and introducing this statutory instrument, to which, as he noted, I have tabled a regret amendment. As he pointed out, under this code of practice, if a dispute reaches an employment tribunal over the amount of time that a union...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for explaining and introducing this statutory instrument, to which, as he noted, I have tabled a regret amendment. As he pointed out, under this code of practice, if a dispute reaches an employment tribunal over the amount of time that a union...

My Lords, I speak in the space reserved for the noble Lord, Lord Davies, who, sadly, cannot be with us. I do not think anyone will be surprised by what I have to say. I was a member of a

trade union before I was ever a member of any...

My Lords, I speak in the space reserved for the noble Lord, Lord Davies, who, sadly, cannot be with us. I do not think anyone will be surprised by what I have to say. I was a member of a

trade union before I was ever a member of any...

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Sharpe, might not be surprised to hear that I do not agree with him that the code is disproportionate and represents an unjustifiable burden on employers and taxpayers.

I will start with a technical point. The regret amendment suggests that the draft ACAS code will...

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Sharpe, might not be surprised to hear that I do not agree with him that the code is disproportionate and represents an unjustifiable burden on employers and taxpayers.

I will start with a technical point. The regret amendment suggests that the draft ACAS code will...

We missed out on the contribution from the noble Lord, Lord Davies.

We missed out on the contribution from the noble Lord, Lord Davies.

I will conclude. The concepts of equality are not wildly new, and good employers already fully subscribe to them.

I will conclude. The concepts of equality are not wildly new, and good employers already fully subscribe to them.

To conclude, if we believe that public money should be used proportionately, we should welcome guidance that encourages employers and unions to agree clear, workable and reasonable arrangements. That is what the code provides, and I hope the regret amendment will be accordingly withdrawn.

7.37 pm

To conclude, if we believe that public money should be used proportionately, we should welcome guidance that encourages employers and unions to agree clear, workable and reasonable arrangements. That is what the code provides, and I hope the regret amendment will be accordingly withdrawn.

7.37 pm

My Lords, it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to take part in this debate. I warmly support the regret amendment tabled by my noble friend on the Front Bench, the noble Lord, Lord Sharpe of Epsom.

In a period of great difficulty and challenge for small businesses—a situation of...

My Lords, it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to take part in this debate. I warmly support the regret amendment tabled by my noble friend on the Front Bench, the noble Lord, Lord Sharpe of Epsom.

In a period of great difficulty and challenge for small businesses—a situation of...

My Lords, this code updates the guidance last revised in 2010 and reflects the rights that Parliament granted in the Employment Rights Act. We will not oppose it on these Benches, although we have some practical questions that require answers.

The new right for equality representatives applies only where an independent...

My Lords, this code updates the guidance last revised in 2010 and reflects the rights that Parliament granted in the Employment Rights Act. We will not oppose it on these Benches, although we have some practical questions that require answers.

The new right for equality representatives applies only where an independent...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions. I am grateful for the support and constructive scrutiny across this House regarding the ACAS code of practice on time off for trade union duties and activities. The points raised have been helpful, and I will respond to them.

Supporting reps...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions. I am grateful for the support and constructive scrutiny across this House regarding the ACAS code of practice on time off for trade union duties and activities. The points raised have been helpful, and I will respond to them.

Supporting reps...

My Lords, I am grateful to all who spoke, particularly my noble friend Lord Jackson of Peterborough, who raised some good questions about evidence and clarity, which I am afraid the Minister has not really addressed. I am also grateful to my noble friend Lord Balfe for his historical tour...

My Lords, I am grateful to all who spoke, particularly my noble friend Lord Jackson of Peterborough, who raised some good questions about evidence and clarity, which I am afraid the Minister has not really addressed. I am also grateful to my noble friend Lord Balfe for his historical tour...

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2026, to Question 18049, on Government Departments: Greater Manchester, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was...

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2026, to Question 18049, on Government Departments: Greater Manchester, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was...

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2026 to Question 14611 on DHSC: Facilities Agreements, for what reason the Code of Practice is being updated for the Employment Rights Act 2025.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2026 to Question 14611 on DHSC: Facilities Agreements, for what reason the Code of Practice is being updated for the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Motion to consider. Agreed to on division (8 votes to 4).

Motion to consider. Agreed to on division (8 votes to 4).

This briefing covers the rules governing trade unions, the rights of union members, collective bargaining, strikes and other industrial action

This briefing covers the rules governing trade unions, the rights of union members, collective bargaining, strikes and other industrial action

I. Letter dated 20/07/2026 from Kate Dearden MP to Liam Byrne MP regarding the Acas Framework document. 1p. II. Acas Framework document 2026–2030. Incl Annexes. 43p III. Acas Framework document 2026 to 2030 AMENDED. Incl. annexes. 55p.

I. Letter dated 20/07/2026 from Kate Dearden MP to Liam Byrne MP regarding the Acas Framework document. 1p. II. Acas Framework document 2026–2030. Incl Annexes. 43p III. Acas Framework document 2026 to 2030 AMENDED. Incl. annexes. 55p.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether ACAS intends to update the ACAS Code of Practice on facility time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether ACAS intends to update the ACAS Code of Practice on facility time.