Nigel Farage and his number two, Richard Tice, have unveiled plans to rip up new protections for workers and renters – with unions accusing them of ‘rigging the system’ for the rich
Nigel Farage has been accused of “declaring war” on working people after Reform unveiled swingeing plans to tear up rights for workers and tenants.
Mr Farage’s number two, Richard Tice, sparked an outcry when he declared he would abolish Labour’s legislation giving vital new employment and housing protections. Mr Tice branded the new regulations “daft” as he unveiled what he described as the Great Repeal Bill.
This would also get rid of Britain’s net zero commitment to tackle climate change, he said. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak dubbed it ‘the Great Steal’ and said: “This is Reform rigging the system for their corporate backers.” And Keir Starmer lashed out at the right-wing party, stating: “Nigel Farage has declared war on the interests of working people.”
Here we look at what has been announced.
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Vital employment rights to be scrapped
In his speech, Mr Tice – appointed Mr Farage’s business spokesman last week – claimed that new employment rights are hampering businesses.
He stated he would do away with the new employment rights – referring to the Employment Rights Act, which was passed last year. This landmark legislation, championed by former deputy PM Angela Rayner, includes new legal commitments on parental leave, protection against unfair dismissal and an end to ‘fire and rehire’.
He claimed it was destroying youth employment. Mr Tice said: “Let’s have a Great Repeal Bill that ditches daft regulations: scrap net zero, scrap Zev mandates, scrap new employment rights rules, scrap new property rental rules – all well intentioned but kill jobs, hinder growth, investment and prosperity. This will all help lower inflation and bring down bills for consumers.”
Mr Farage said: “This idea that you’re either on the side of the worker or the business owner, frankly, is outdated. It belongs to a different time, a different political argument.”
Renters’ Rights Act also in the firing line
Also in the firing line is Labour’s legislation to tackle rogue landlords.
The Renters’ Rights Act, passed last year, will bring an end to no fault evictions and restrict rent rises when it comes into force in May. There will also be a decent homes standard to ensure homes are safer, and a new landlord Ombudsman to make sure standards are met.
The new laws – which Mr Tice says are unacceptable – apply ‘Awaab’s Law’ to landlords, setting out strict rules for landlords to fix issues with homes. This followed the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from respiratory problems in 2020 after his family repeatedly complained about mould in their flat.
Mr Tice said Labour’s legislation is reducing the number of properties on the market, driving up prices.
Attack on public servants’ pensions
Mr Tice also said Reform would end more generous defined pension schemes for new local government workers.
These schemes are often linked to final or average salaries. The Reform business supremo said his party will block new entries to these, instead putting new starters onto defined contribution schemes.
But the move has sparked fury, with the Prospect trade union claiming Mr Tice’s sums are badly off. Prospect’s analysis found the move would create a fiscal black hole of around £4billion to 6billion per year after five years. This would rise to tens of billions in the medium term, with savings not materialising for decades.
Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy said: “Reform’s proposals for public sector pensions are a terrible deal for both workers and the taxpayer. Reform are still refusing to admit that these pension changes will add billions to public spending in the medium term, money that would need to be found from cuts or tax rises.
“Their plans to attack employment rights are completely out of touch with what voters want, and would plunge millions back into precarious work. Reform’s offer to working people is now clear; insecurity at work and poverty when you retire.”
End to Net Zero commitment
Reform’s position has long been that Britain’s commitment to Net Zero has to go.
Net zero, which has been supported by both the Tories and Labour, creates a legal commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Mr Tice said Reform would increase domestic oil and gas production if it gets into power. Labour argues the move risks up to a million jobs in the clean energy sector.
A Labour spokesperson said: “Nigel Farage and his cronies want to rip up hard-won workers’ rights on parental leave, sick pay, and would cut up to a million clean energy jobs in the process.
“Reform have revealed whose side they’re on – and it’s not working people. And it’s families up and down the country who’d be left paying a very heavy price.”
‘This is actually the Great Steal’
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “They call it the Great Repeal. It’s actually the Great Steal.
“Reform wants to strip power from ordinary people and hand it to bad bosses, rogue landlords and climate-denying corporations.
“This isn’t cutting red tape – it’s cutting you loose so vested interests can do whatever they like. Axing workers’ rights, renter protections and net zero won’t cut bills. It will slash standards, kill jobs and scare off investment.
“Every ‘regulation’ they hate is a rule that stops you being ripped off. This is Reform rigging the system for their corporate backers.”