House of Commons – Dec. 10, 2025 – 389

Question put (Standing Order No. 31(2)), That the original words stand part of the Question. Amendment: I beg to move an amendment, to leave out from “House” to the end of the Question and add: “notes the Government’s strong support for small and medium-sized businesses, including those employing seasonal workers;

further notes that the Government’s Employment Rights Bill will help seasonal workers by bringing the UK’s outdated employment laws into the 21st century;

welcomes the policy paper entitled Backing your business: our plan for small and medium sized businesses, which sets out a comprehensive vision for productivity and success;

further welcomes action to tackle late payments through the introduction of the toughest laws in the G7, helping SMEs maintain cash flow during peak periods;

supports measures to cut energy bills for SMEs through investment in clean power and reducing levies;

commends investment in high streets via the Pride in Place fund, boosting footfall for seasonal trade;

also notes consultations to reduce burdens on hospitality businesses;

and further commends targeted support through the Business Growth Service to help SMEs access skills, finance and growth opportunities.” Original words: I beg to move, That this House regrets Government policies that are making seasonal, flexible and part-time work more difficult;

notes that these policies particularly impact young people who are likely to start their first job in the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors, and specifically regrets Government policy to increase business rates on the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors;

further regrets the Employment Rights Bill, with its provisions on guaranteed hours, and late notice cancellation of shifts, which will effectively destroy seasonal, flexible and part-time work;

also regrets raising the rate of employer National Insurance contributions;

regrets that 84,000 jobs in the hospitality sector have therefore been lost;

and calls on the Government to cut public expenditure in order to abolish business rates for thousands of high street businesses, and not to proceed with the Employment Rights Bill so that it is easier for young people to get their first job, and easier for people to move from receiving welfare into work.