Valerie chairs Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee

I chaired the Sixth delegated legislation Committee on Wednesday 8 July 2026. 

The Committee discussed the draft Trade Unions (Permissible Means of Voting) and Employment Rights (Unfair Dismissal) (Amendment) Order 2026 together with the draft Code of Practice on Electronic and Workplace Ballots for Statutory Trade Union Ballots.”

The scope of the legislation which is to amend the Trade Union and Labour Relations Consolidation Act 1912 and the Employment Rights Act 1996 to ( i) allow in addition to postal voting , electronic or hybrid voting in ballots relating to industrial action, political fund resolutions, union elections and union mergers and also workplace voting in ballots relating to industrial action, and (ii) amend the Employment Rights Act 1996 to reflect the position in the Employment Rights Act 2025 on unfair dismissal protection for redundancy in the context of industrial action and make transitional provision.

The Secretary may issue a Code of Practice containing practical guidance for the purpose of promoting the improvement of industrial relations and promoting desirable practices in relation to the conduct by trade unions of ballots and elections. The Code provides guidance to independent scrutineers and trade unions on the use of electronic and workplace balloting methods for statutory trade union ballots as well as providing relevant information to employers and union members to support the implementation of the policy in the Order. 

The question was put that the Committee has considered the draft trade unions permissible fees of voting and employment rights unfair dismissal Amendment Order 2026″

On Division 1 – Ayes 11 and Noes 4     On Division 2 – Ayes 11 and Noes 4