Responding to the government amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger, said:  

“These amendments will pave the way to ensuring our profession is properly valued. After yet another winter crisis, nursing staff have been working harder than ever and the public know they deserve to be fully recognised for the work they do.  

“Protections against exploitative zero-hour contracts are a significant step forward for nursing. The RCN has raised this consistently with the government and we are pleased our concerns have been acted on. Closing this loophole will save thousands in our profession from the worst kind of exploitation from unscrupulous employers that seek to profit from their care.

“Nursing is 90% female and we have extensively called for women's rights to be front and centre of this bill. The additional protections for pregnant workers and new parents, and stricter obligations on employers, are much welcomed. The government has also committed to expanding statutory bereavement leave to cover pregnancy loss, one of the RCN’s key demands. This is a significant victory for our female-dominated profession and a vital step towards a fairer, more compassionate society. 

“Improving workers’ rights, particularly for those in health and social care, makes everyone safer. A modern upgrade to industrial relations will pave the way for true security for nursing staff, ensuring they can get on with what they do best – caring for patients.”