Unions Warn Labour's Zero-Hours Plan May Break Manifesto Pledge 2026

Unions are warning that Labour's zero-hours contracts plan may break the party's manifesto pledge, as concerns grow over the scope of the new guaranteed hours legislation. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and several major unions have expressed alarm that the policy, central to the Employment Rights Act, could be watered down through loopholes and restrictive eligibility criteria.

Labour's Zero-Hours Contracts Policy Under Scrutiny

The Employment Rights Act has already become law, but the zero-hours changes are not due to be implemented until next year. A consultation document, published when Keir Starmer was still at No 10, included an upper hours threshold, which unions fear will exclude many workers from the right to guaranteed hours.

Joanne Thomas, general secretary of shop workers' union Usdaw, said: "The right to a contract that guarantees the hours you normally work is a matter of basic fairness and security. It must be applied to everyone to deliver the government's manifesto commitment." She added that the policy "must apply to everyone up to and including full-time workers. We absolutely cannot have loopholes that make this meaningless."

Union Leaders Demand Reassurance

Ross Holden, head of policy and research at the GMB union, said: "We are concerned that without a major rethink there is a risk this policy is not matching what we said in the manifesto." He added that unions are worried about whether their concerns are being given sufficient weight. "If the policy development is one-sided then we risk this being watered down."

Unite raised a separate concern about a "regularity requirement" suggested by the government, which the union claimed would exclude a significant number of workers. "If the government was attempting to create a right which virtually no workers could qualify for or be able to enforce – they could not have done a better job," a Unite spokesperson said.

Comparison: Union Demands vs. Government Proposal

Key Takeaways for Workers and Employers

• Zero-hours contracts remain legal until 2026, but new rights are coming.
• Unions are pushing for universal coverage without thresholds.
• Employers should prepare for potential changes to contract offers.
• Workers may need to document regular hours to qualify.
• Final policy details are still under consultation.

What This Means for the Manifesto Promise

The Labour manifesto promised to end "exploitative" zero-hours contracts. Unions argue that any limitation on who qualifies would betray that commitment. The business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, has been asked for reassurances, but no final decision has been made.

As the consultation continues, the pressure is on the government to balance business concerns with worker protections. The outcome will affect millions of people on flexible contracts across the UK.

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