A Bill to introduce more freedom, flexibility and opportunity for those seeking employment in the public and private sectors; and for connected purposes.
The stated purpose of the Bill is to introduce more freedom, flexibility and opportunity for those seeking employment in the public and private sectors. It wouldreduce restrictions on foreign nationals lawfully resident in the UK that prevent them from working, unless they have been refused leave to remain or are in detentionenable those entitled to the minimum wage to opt out from that entitlementremove the entitlement to the minimum wage from those who are receiving a training wage, if they had entered into a written contract of employment offering them a training wage and training from the employer in skills relevant to the employmentrequire the Low Pay Commission to institute an enquiry into the impact of the national minimum wage on job creation and access to employment in areas of high unemployment, and to consider whether to reduce the minimum wage in those areas if it is found to have had a negative effect. It would further require the Secretary of State to act on recommendations by the Commission to reduce the minimum wage.
This Bill aims to give more freedom and opportunity for people seeking work by relaxing some work rules in both the public and private sectors. It would loosen restrictions on foreign nationals lawfully resident in the UK, allow some workers to opt out of the national minimum wage, remove the minimum wage entitlement for those on a training wage under a written contract, and set up a Low Pay Commission inquiry into how the minimum wage affects job creation in high-unemployment areas, with the government required to act on its recommendations to potentially reduce the minimum wage in those areas.
The Bill is currently at the 2nd Reading stage in the House of Commons, having originated there and sponsored by Sir Christopher Chope.
Generated 21 February 2026
This Bill has been negatived and will not progress any further.
The Bill had its first reading on 5 July 2010 through the Presentation Bill procedure. The second reading was on 17 June 2011 but was negatived.
If you require any further information about the Bill then please contact the sponsoring Member, Christopher Chope.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
