Bosses ploughing through HUNDREDS of pages to understand just how bad Labour's worker rights revolution will be for them

By MARTIN BECKFORD, POLICY EDITOR Published: 23:19, 6 April 2026 | Updated: 23:19, 6 April 2026 Bosses are having to plough through hundreds of pages of documents to understand the impact of Labour's workers' rights revolution on their firms – despite ministers vowing to crack down on 'consultation culture'. Businesses are currently being asked to respond to seven different government consultations on the Employment Rights Act, covering everything from union rights to staff sharing tips. They must go through ten reports, totalling 358 pages, and respond to 173 different questions if they want to make their voices heard on the major reforms to the world of work. Another seven consultations, out of a massive 25 planned overall for Labour's Make Work Pay agenda, are still yet to be launched, including crucial details of the long-promised crackdown on zero-hours contracts. At the same time, managers must keep track of changes to the law that have already started to be introduced, with much of Tory-era anti-strike legislation repealed last month and trade unions gaining more power when the act came into force this week. It comes on top of hikes to the National Living Wage and the controversial revaluation of business rates that also came in today. Labour has already been accused of damaging the economy by hammering businesses with tax rises and red tape, with growth flatlining and unemployment at a five-year high. And it comes despite ministers claiming recently that they are going to 'rip up consultation culture', blaming 'excessive processes and checks' for delays that have 'real consequences for people across the country'. Bosses are having to plough through hundreds of pages of documents to understand the impact of Labour's workers' rights revolution on their firms Last night, Reform UK's pick for Chancellor, Robert Jenrick, said: 'It's the peak of hypocrisy for Labour to claim it's slashing red tape, just as it bogs down business in dozens of consultation and more regulation. 'This Government is addicted to lengthy consultations, pointless reviews and endless paperwork. A leopard can't change its spots.' And Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said: 'It's beyond a farce that the Government, which gave us the 330-page, red tape Unemployment Bill with its 25 consultations, now talks of less red tape and fewer consultations. 'It's actions not words that count and when they've finished gaslighting the public, scrapping this bill would be one foot off the neck of business.' Business groups also say they are struggling to keep on top of the growing number of consultations. Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: 'What business owner has the time, the inclination, and the mental energy needed to struggle through such an onslaught of papers? 'This isn't even all of the questions the Government is seeking responses to, either. More consultations on such weighty topics as zero hours contracts are still to be published, just adding to the overall indigestibility of the whole endeavour for small business owners. Reform UK's pick for Chancellor, Robert Jenrick, said: 'This Government is addicted to lengthy consultations, pointless reviews and endless paperwork. A leopard can't change its spots' 'Talk about an avalanche of new rules and regulations, with barely enough time to keep on top of what's coming, let alone go through it all and point out the potential dangers and unreasonable demands which could fall on small businesses.' She urged: 'The Government needs to give business owners more time to prepare prior to rules coming into force.' Luiza Paludo Gomes, Employment Policy Advisor at the British Retail Consortium, said: 'With consultations coming thick and fast, businesses are flying blind – responding to one consultation before the outcome of the previous one is known. 'Furthermore, businesses are having to prepare for new rules that have not yet been written, and it is vital the Government provides adequate lead in time for companies to implement any new policies.' She warned: 'This Act could have far-reaching consequences for employment in the UK. For instance, new rules around guaranteed hours aimed at tackling exploitative zero-hour contracts must not create a ruinous administrative burden on responsible businesses who are doing what they can to support their workforce.' A Government spokesperson said: 'Our employment rights reforms are being delivered over a two-year period so that businesses and workers have time to prepare. 'It's crucial we speak to businesses and trade unions to get the detail right.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. 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