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Strike Ballots

Asked by Paula BarkerLabourDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 22 June 2026UIN 10245

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will confirm the date when the turnout requirement of at least 50% will be replaced by a simple majority vote for industrial action ballots.

Answered by Kate Dearden

To commence section 68 (turnout threshold) of the Employment Rights Act and repeal the 50% threshold, the government must lay a statement in Parliament setting out how it has had regard to the effect of e-balloting (or other non-postal balloting) on participation rates in industrial action ballots.

We are working towards delivering electronic balloting in August 2026. The subsequent review of the impact of e-balloting on participation rates will take place following this, before the repeal of the 50% threshold.

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