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Baroness Coffey (Con)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 16 June 2025

Debate

Employment Rights Bill

Contribution

I will speak to Amendments 272B and 272C in this group in the name of my noble friend Lord Jackson of Peterborough. I will also speak to the other amendments, particularly Amendment 272, which has just been spoken to by my noble friend Lady Noakes. She has hit the nail on the head: how often is this going to be used to go beyond what has been requested—for example, a worker not intending to take a case forward, such that it could still end up in a tribunal? I am conscious that we will return to Clauses 113 and 114 on Wednesday, so I will be brief on Amendments 272B and 272C. Even if the Minister cannot respond today on Amendment 272C, can she say what is meant by “any other form of assistance”? “Legal advice” and “legal representation” are pretty well understood, but what else? There are genuine concerns about this starting to become a blank cheque for almost anything with regard to employment law. While of course the House of Lords does not have financial privilege, it is important to still be mindful of where this could go.

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