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Consultation outcome

Make Work Pay: duty to inform workers of right to join a union

From:
Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Department for Business and Trade, Kate Dearden MP and The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP
Published:
23 October 2025
Last updated:
25 September 2026 — See all updates
This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Government response to the consultation on duty to inform workers of their right to join a trade union: executive summary

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Government response to the consultation on duty to inform workers of their right to join a trade union

PDF, 297 KB, 27 pages

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Impact assessment: employer duty to inform workers of their right to join a trade union

PDF, 441 KB, 36 pages

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Detail of outcome

This consultation sought views on the practical detail of how the duty should operate to ensure the duty is clear, proportionate and workable for both employers and workers.

In total, the consultation received 307 responses from a wide range of interested parties.

The government response summarises the issues raised by respondents and sets out the government’s position.

Original consultation

Summary

There’s a new duty on employers to inform workers of their right to join a trade union. This consultation is about how it should work in practice.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

The Employment Rights Bill will introduce a new duty on employers to give a written statement to their workers, informing them of their right to join a trade union at the start of their employment and at other times.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is seeking views on how this new duty can be implemented effectively while minimising the burden on employers. This includes details on:

  • what form the statement should take
  • what content should be included
  • the manner in which the statement must be delivered
  • the frequency with which the statement must be reissued after the beginning of employment

This consultation invites views from trade unions, employers, workers and members of the public who are likely to be affected by this duty.

Documents

Consultation on duty to inform workers of their right to join a trade union

PDF, 474 KB, 21 pages

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Options assessment: Workers’ right to be informed by their employer of their right to join a trade union

PDF, 546 KB, 39 pages

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Updates to this page

Published 23 October 2025
Last updated 25 September 2026 Show all updates

  1. Government response added including executive summary and impact assessment.

  2. Added 'Options assessment: Workers’ right to be informed by their employer of their right to join a trade union'

  3. First published.

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