The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has urged new business secretary Peter Kyle to back Lords amendments to the Employment Rights Bill that it says would make the legislation more practical for local shops and other businesses.
In a letter to Kyle, ACS highlighted the flexibility and security already provided to the 443,000 people working in the UK convenience sector. Figures from its 2025 Colleague Survey show that 96 per cent of store colleagues are on permanent contracts, more than half (53%) work full time, and 72 per cent say they have never had a shift cancelled.
The Lords amendments would define “short notice” for shift cancellations as less than 48 hours and would shift the Bill’s proposed obligation for employers to offer guaranteed hours into a right for employees to request them.
“We welcome the protections that the Employment Rights Bill provides workers, but the Bill must also be pragmatic for convenience retailers running a business,” ACS chief executive James Lowman said.
“There is widespread support in the business community for amendments put forward by the Lords that would ensure that the Bill is both pro-worker and pro-business, and we encourage the Business Secretary to consider supporting them in Parliament.”
The Employment Rights Bill, first published in October 2024, includes measures such as:
- Ending exploitative zero hours contracts
- Day one rights to parental, paternity and bereavement leave
- Making flexible working the default unless proven unreasonable
- Stronger protection against unfair dismissal from day one
- Preventing third-party harassment in the workplace
The Bill is nearing the end of its passage through Parliament, with MPs set to consider final Lords amendments on Monday (15 September).
The government has recently unveiled its roadmap for the Bill, which will be implemented in phases, adding that it will continue to consult with employers, workers and trade unions.
While ACS and other business groups are lobbying for greater flexibility, retail trade union Usdaw has condemned attempts to water down the right to guaranteed hours. Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said replacing it with only a “right to request” would leave many workers vulnerable to insecure employment.
“It is a crucial part of the Bill that will make a huge difference in helping to make work pay for many of the lowest-paid workers. The onus should be on the employer to make the offer of a proper contract, because employment protections that are based on the ‘right to request’ are ineffective for many workers, who come under pressure and coercion from their managers,” Thomas said.
“We welcome that the government has committed to defend the Bill from these unwarranted attacks by rejecting the amendments when it comes back to the House of Commons.”