To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether staff in his Department receive protections from unfair dismissal from their first working day.

Around 9 million employees have been working for their employer for less than two years, so have only very limited statutory protection against unfair dismissal.   Our Employment Rights Bill will provide a new baseline of security for employees, including day one protection from unfair dismissal.

Department for Business and Trade (DBT) employees working in England, Scotland and Wales are subject to a two year qualifying period before they receive legal protection from unfair dismissal. Employment Law is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and DBT employees working there are subject to a one year qualifying period.