A Bill to provide that, notwithstanding the European Communities Act 1972, workers or members of a trade union who are UK nationals shall have rights of employment in the United Kingdom equal to or as favourable as those afforded to foreign nationals or conferred by the United Kingdom Parliament.
The Bill aims to ensure that workers and trade union members who are UK nationals are not disadvantaged in the UK employment market in relation to foreign nationals, regardless of European Community law in this subject area.
House of Commons
23 June 2009
This Bill would guarantee that UK nationals who work or are in a trade union have employment rights in the UK that are at least as strong as those for foreign nationals, and it would apply even where EU law is relevant. It aims to protect UK workers from being at a disadvantage in the UK labour market because of nationality.
Originating in the House of Commons, the Bill is currently at the second reading in the Commons. If it passes this stage, it would move on to later stages such as committee scrutiny and report.
In divisions, Labour, SNP, Greens and other supporters backed the bill, while Conservatives and Reform UK MPs largely opposed. The party tallies show broad cross‑party support from Labour and allied parties, with opposition from several Conservative and other parties.
Generated 21 February 2026
Based on 35 recorded votes • Sorted by % Aye
This Bill was on the Order Paper on several Fridays before being dropped by its sponsor, William Cash.