In February 2003 the government circulated its consultation paper reviewing the operation of the Employment Relations Act 1999.
In the Foreword to the Review, Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, declared that the Act had been a "resounding success". While identifying some areas where the legislation is unclear or has left loopholes, requiring some limited changes, the clear opinion of the government is that the current framework of UK law is "sound and effective".

To assist with responses from the trade union and labour movement the Institute compiled a Briefing which focuses on two particular aspects of the Review. First, the Wilson & Palmer case and the changes in law we believe are required to implement that judicial decision. Second, the whole area of collective labour law.

The Briefing also includes a chart comparing the limited changes proposed by the government to those suggested by the TUC in its document Modern rights for modern workplaces and the Institute's own A Charter for Workers' Rights.

You may download a copy of the Briefing here, or order a hard copy from our office by sending a cheque for £3, payable to the Institute of Employment Rights (this includes UK postage).
Download Briefing in Adobe Acrobat format (38 A4 pages)