East Lothian MP, Fiona O’Donnell, has criticised the Government over its plans to increase the qualifying period for unfair dismissal from 12 months to 2 years. The changes would make it easier for employers to fire staff without good reason and, according to figures produced by the Office of National Statistics, could affect around 12% of workers.
Speaking ahead of a parliamentary debate on the changes, Fiona said:
“This Government is out of touch with the lives and concerns of ordinary people. Tory backbenchers have openly criticised David Cameron and George Osborne for behaving like a couple of public schoolboys who don’t understand and, worse still, don’t care about the impact of their policies on ordinary people.
“The Prime Minister and his Chancellor don’t know what it feels like to be in a new job and afraid to speak out – or to have caring responsibilities, be sick or get pregnant. I’m concerned that these changes will also make it harder for employees to blow the whistle on bad practice where they are scared that they might lose their job as a result. The Government ought to be safeguarding employment rather than spreading uncertainty.”
Notes to Editor
The Statutory Instrument to introduce the Government’s changes will be considered by the House of Commons’ Delegation Legislation Committee on Tuesday 13 March. All MPs are welcome to speak at the Committee.
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