Employment protections introduced since 1997 have provided extra support for the low paid and working parents without damaging the UK's economic competitiveness, according to the TUC. The latest pamphlet The Red Tape Delusion says that the OECD ranks the UK one of the least regulated labour markets in the world.
But while new Labour has broadly maintained the deregulation agenda inherited from previous governments, they have introduced a number of new employment measures. Policies such as the national minimum wage, extended parental leave and pay, reducing the qualifying period for unfair dismissal and greater union recognition rights - all opposed as costly red tape by business organisations - have raised incomes for the lowest paid, helped women back into work and encouraged people to stay in the same job and build their skills.
TUC News
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