A Bill to introduce more freedom, flexibility and opportunity for those seeking employment in the public and private sectors.
The Bill would:create a general right to employment, subject to specified exceptions for foreign visitors and foreign nationals who have been refused entry into the UK or given the right to remain allow individual employees to opt out of the requirements of national minimum wage legislationinclude protection for those who refuse to work for pay below the national minimum wage.
House of Commons
Sir Christopher ChopeConservative
9 November 2009
The bill would create a general right to employment in both public and private sectors, but with specified exceptions for foreign visitors and for foreign nationals who have been refused entry or given the right to remain. It would also allow individual workers to opt out of the national minimum wage and provide protection for those who refuse to work for pay below the minimum wage.
The bill is at the 2nd Reading in the House of Commons. If it advances, it would typically move to detailed scrutiny in Committee and then onto further readings before potentially moving to the House of Lords.
Generated 21 February 2026
This Bill was on the Order Paper for a Second Reading debate on 16 October but there was an Objection taken under Standing Order No. 11(2).
The Bill was on the Order Paper for a Second Reading on several Fridays before being dropped by its sponsor, Mr Christopher Chope.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
