High Peak MP Jon Pearce's weekly column

Too many people in High Peak and across the country are held back by poorly paid, insecure work or poor quality, insecure housing, and sadly for some both. 

I have heard from people in my surgeries who live day in, day out with the knowledge that they and their families could be uprooted from their home with little notice and minimal justification. This can affect their careers, children’s education, and their health.

While the majority of landlords provide a good service, too many private renters are stuck in poor quality, insecure homes as costs soar. The last Conservative government promised action on this issue but failed completely. Worst of all, they bowed to vested interests on their own benches by watering down their commitment to end ‘no-fault’ evictions.  This Labour Government has achieved in six months what the Conservatives failed to do in 14 years. Last week I was proud to vote to bring in new laws to support those people here in High Peak that will abolish no fault evictions, require private rented homes to be of a decent standard and landlords to fix hazards that pose a danger to tenants’ health with a strict time limits. The new laws will give renters safer, better value homes and remove the blight of poor-quality homes in our communities. 

Last week also marked the end of the detailed examination by Parliament of the Employment Rights Bill. I was privileged to be appointed to the Committee task with this role. It was an opportunity to put my 14 years’ experience as an employment lawyer before I stood to be your MP to good use.  

The Bill will update the UK’s outdated employment laws and turn the page on an economy blighted by insecurity, poor productivity, and low pay. This includes ending exploitative zero hours contracts and fire and rehire practices, establishing day one rights for paternity, parental and bereavement leave for millions of workers, and strengthening statutory sick pay. 

Labour is getting on with making people’s lives better by supporting people to have more secure homes and jobs.