EXPOSED: Labour’s horror ‘pub crackdown’ slips under the radar while Britons distracted by election chaos

Labour’s new Employment Rights Bill is being reviewed by the House of Lords, and it’s causing a lot of arguments. Most people haven’t noticed because they’re paying attention to the local elections, but this bill could bring big changes, especially for pubs and other places where people casually talk.

One part of the bill, called Clause 20, says that employers must do everything they reasonably can to stop harassment at work. This sounds good in theory, but it also means they might be responsible if a customer or visitor says something offensive and a worker hears it. For example, if you’re joking around with your friends in a pub and a waiter hears something they find upsetting, your joke might turn into a workplace issue for the pub owner. That’s why some people are calling this the “banter ban.”

Labour says the goal is to protect workers, especially those who regularly deal with the public, like people working in pubs, shops, or hospitals. They say no one should have to feel anxious or threatened while doing their job. One government minister said that people should feel safe at work, and while private conversations are allowed, they shouldn’t create an uncomfortable atmosphere for others.

But some people strongly disagree. They say this could lead to regular conversations being watched and judged, especially in places like pubs where people often speak freely and share personal opinions. Free speech groups, like the Free Speech Union, are worried that this law could be used to control what people say, even if the conversation isn’t meant to harm anyone.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is also concerned. They said the law could go too far and limit people’s right to express their thoughts. Critics are painting a picture where people might be afraid to speak their minds in public, especially on topics like politics, religion, or gender issues, just in case someone listening is offended. Pubs, which are already struggling financially, might end up in trouble if they’re expected to control what customers say.

There’s also a financial side. The government’s own research says these new rules might cost businesses around £5 billion each year. That includes the money needed for training, legal advice, and possible court cases. Some business leaders think it could cost even more if companies have to change how they hire people, raise prices, or avoid certain types of work.

The bill has already been debated, and efforts to stop it didn’t work. On March 27, the House of Lords talked about what the bill is trying to do. Then on April 15, a member of the Lords named Lord Young suggested changes to protect freedom of speech. He wants to make sure that people can still talk about political, religious, or social issues without getting into legal trouble, as long as they aren’t being openly rude or offensive. On April 29, more members of the Lords discussed these ideas, and they plan to keep reviewing the bill in detail on May 8.

Overall, this bill is trying to create safer workplaces, but it’s also raising serious concerns about freedom of speech, the future of pubs, and the cost to businesses. Some people support it, others are deeply worried, and the final decision hasn’t been made yet.