Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/make-work-pay-ending-one-sided-flexibility-reforms-of-zero-hours-and-similar-contracts

Change description : 2026-07-14 13:10:00: Updated the ‘qualifying for the right to guaranteed hours (directly engaged workers)’ section and chart A of part 1 (guaranteed hours), and the ‘eligibility’ section of part 2 (reasonable notice of shifts and payment for shifts cancelled, moved or curtailed at short notice) to ensure the hours threshold criteria is explained accurately and consistently. [Policy papers and consultations]

Showing diff : 2026-06-02 08:33:00.555466249 +00:00..2026-07-14 12:10:24.733962751 +00:00

Open consultation

Make Work Pay: ending one-sided flexibility – reforms of zero hours and similar contracts

From:
Department for Business and Trade, Kate Dearden MP and The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP
Published
2 June 2026
Last updated
14 July 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Summary

We are seeking views on reforms relating to zero hours and similar contracts, to implement measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025 to end one-sided flexibility.

This consultation closes at

Consultation description

The government’s manifesto committed to end one-sided flexibility and ensure all jobs provide a baseline of security and predictability.

The government has taken this forward through 3 measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025, giving employees the right to:

  • guaranteed hours, where the number of hours offered reflects the hours worked by a qualifying worker during a reference period
  • reasonable notice of shifts and changes to these
  • payment for shifts cancelled, curtailed or moved at short notice

These measures have not yet taken effect. This consultation seeks input on details of the new rights, which will be set out in regulations.

Following consultation, the government will develop final policy positions.

We encourage everyone with a view on these reforms to answer as many consultation questions as they feel comfortable with.

We strongly encourage you to respond via the online platform. Using the online survey will assist our analysis of the responses, enabling more efficient and effective consideration of the issues raised.

Documents

Consultation on ending one-sided flexibility: reforms of zero hours and similar contracts

PDF, 1935 MBKB, 8584 pages

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Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Ways to respond

Respond online

or

Email to:

zerohours.consultation@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Write to:

Zero Hour Contracts Policy Team
Employment Rights Directorate
Department for Business and Trade
Old Admiralty Building
Admiralty Place
London
SW1A 2DY

Updates to this page

Published 2 June 2026
Last updated 14 July 2026 — Show all updates

  1. Updated the 'qualifying for the right to guaranteed hours (directly engaged workers)' section and chart A of part 1 (guaranteed hours), and the 'eligibility' section of part 2 (reasonable notice of shifts and payment for shifts cancelled, moved or curtailed at short notice) to ensure the hours threshold criteria is explained accurately and consistently.

  2. First published.

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Update history

2026-07-14 13:10
Updated the ‘qualifying for the right to guaranteed hours (directly engaged workers)’ section and chart A of part 1 (guaranteed hours), and the ‘eligibility’ section of part 2 (reasonable notice of shifts and payment for shifts cancelled, moved or curtailed at short notice) to ensure the hours threshold criteria is explained accurately and consistently.

2026-06-02 09:30
First published.