Written statement
Consultation on fireworks
“I am today informing Parliament of a consultation on fireworks which has just been launched.…”
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Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Labour (Co-op)MP for Halifax
What Kate said recently
Questions
Oral questions: Business and Trade
“The Employment Rights Act 2025 is bringing employment rights into the 21st century, with phased implementation to give businesses and workers, including those in Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch, time to get ready and understand their new righ…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →18× at the despatch box
Written statement
Implementing the Employment Rights Act: June 2026 Update
“The UK Government is today announcing further progress in the implementation of its landmark Employment Rights Act, as part of the Plan to Make Work Pay. This update includes the launch of a public consultation on Holiday Pay Compliance and…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Written statement
Implementing the Employment Rights Act: June Consultations on Employment Rights for Unpaid Carers, Time off for Public Duties and Government responses
“Once implemented, the Employment Rights Act will raise the minimum floor of employment rights, raise living standards across the country and level the playing field for those businesses who are engaged in good practices. There are clear, ev…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Statement
Ministerial statement: General Strike Centenary Commemorations
“I congratulate my honourable Friend the Member for Birmingham Northfield (Laurence Turner) on securing this debate on commemorations for the centenary of the 1926 general strike—a moment in our nation’s history that is not always recognised…”
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Written statement
Consultation on ending one-sided flexibility: reforms of zero hours and similar contracts
“Our Plan to Make Work Pay will modernise our employment rights legislation, extending the employment protections already given by the best British companies to millions more workers across the country. Strengthening this underlying framewor…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Questions
Oral questions: Business and Trade
“I welcome the keen interest in this issue that my honourable Friend has shown. I and my officials have regular discussions with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, including on the publication of the draft secondary ticketing Bill …”
Read Kate’s full contribution →16× at the despatch box
Written statement
Implementing the Employment Rights Act 2025: Non-Disclosure Agreements Consultation
“We are delivering our Plan for Change by ensuring employment rights are fit for a modern economy, empowering working people and contributing to economic growth. Our Plan to Make Work Pay will extend the employment protections already given …”
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Written statement
Statutory Review of the Groceries Code Adjudicator
“In line with the Government’s Regulatory Action Plan, which seeks to ensure the UK’s regulatory system is targeted, proportionate and supports growth, I am today publishing and laying before Parliament the report on the fourth statutory rev…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Written statement
Implementing the Employment Rights Act: TU Access Consultation and TUPE Call for Evidence
“The government has set the country on the path of national renewal, building a Britain for all on the firm foundations of security, respect and opportunity. That means creating an economy that delivers for working people: productive, profit…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Written statement
Subscriptions: Government Response to the Implementation Consultation
“Subscription contracts play an increasingly significant role in the lives of UK consumers. Across the economy, people rely on subscription services for everything from streaming and software to meal kits, fitness, and household essentials. …”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Written statement
Product Regulation and Metrology Act: Product Safety Framework Reform Consultations
“We have launched three consultations setting out major reforms to modernise the Product Safety Framework and review the UK’s furniture fire safety regulations. Using the powers provided by the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025, our …”
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Questions
Oral questions: Business and Trade
“This Government are committed to strengthening rights for parents. In April, we are introducing bereaved partner’s paternity leave and making unpaid parental leave and paternity leave day one rights, bringing more than 1 million parents int…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →17× at the despatch box
Written statement
Unpaid internships
“The Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay is a core part of our mission to grow the economy, raise living standards across the country, and create opportunities for all. This will help tackle low pay, poor working conditions, and poor job secu…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Written statement
Implementing the Employment Rights Act: Further February Consultation Package
“Our Plan to Make Work Pay will modernise our employment rights legislation, extending the employment protections already given by the best British companies to millions more workers across the country. Strengthening this underlying framewor…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Written statement
Implementing the Employment Rights Act: February Consultation Package
“This Government’s top priority is to grow the economy and improve living standards. We are clear that you cannot build a strong economy whilst having people in insecure work. For too long employment law has failed to keep pace with fundamen…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Questions
Oral questions: Business and Trade
“I know my honourable Friend has been actively engaging with his local businesses, such as Camerons Brewery, to highlight their importance to the local economy, and I thank him for that. We have introduced permanently lower tax rates for ret…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →16× at the despatch box
Legislation
Employment Rights Bill
“I beg to move, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their amendment 120N to Commons amendment 120G and their amendments 120P to 120S to Commons amendment 120H. I am returning for the fourth time to the consideration of Lords amendmen…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →11× at the despatch box
Questions
Oral questions: Business and Trade
“I know that my honourable Friend is aware of the dangers posed by unsafe e-bike batteries; 170 e-bike fires were recorded in 2024, mostly in London. Product safety laws require that businesses supply only safe consumer products, including e…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →13× at the despatch box
Debate
Seasonal Work
“It is a pleasure to close this debate on behalf of the Government. Let me start by saying that I will take absolutely no lessons on running the economy after what the Conservatives did during 14 years in government. Given that there have be…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →5× at the despatch box
Legislation
Employment Rights Bill
“I beg to move, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their amendment 1B but proposes amendments (a) and (b) to the Bill in lieu of that amendment.…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →8× at the despatch box
Written statement
Publication of consultation response to Package travel – updating the framework 2025
“The current Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (“the regulations”) set out a series of requirements for organisers of package holidays and linked travel arrangements. They also provide bespoke protections for tra…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Written statement
An update on the Employment Rights Bill
“The Government convened a series of constructive conversations between trade unions and business representatives. On the basis of the outcome of these discussions, the Government will now move forward on the issue of unfair dismissal protec…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Written statement
Government response to ticketing consultation and call for evidence
“The UK has a world-leading live events sector. Our major sporting and cultural events are not only key to our social fabric but also support economic growth right across the country. For too long, however, access to live events has been und…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Written statement
Implementing the Employment Rights Bill: Electronic and Workplace Balloting Consultation
“This Government’s top priority is to grow the economy and improve living standards. We are clear that you cannot build a strong economy whilst having people in insecure work. For too long employment law has failed to keep pace with fundamen…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Legislation
Employment Rights Bill
“I beg to move, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their amendment 1B.…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →14× at the despatch box
Questions
Oral questions: Business and Trade
“As this is my first time at the Dispatch Box, if I may I would like to thank my predecessor, my honourable Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Bromborough (Justin Madders). It is an honour to build on his work, particularly on employme…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →4× at the despatch box
Written statement
Implementing the Employment Rights Bill: October Consultation Package
“This Government’s top priority is to grow the economy and improve living standards. We are clear that you cannot build a strong economy whilst having people in insecure work. For too long employment law has failed to keep pace with fundamen…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
Debate
Economy, Welfare and Public Services
“Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you for allowing me to make my first contribution to this House. I thank the honourable Member for Meriden and Solihull East (Saqib Bhatti) for his contribution to the debate. Today’s debate is a crucial one for how…”
Read Kate’s full contribution →1× at the despatch box
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