Blair’s former policy chief Matthew Taylor to lead Fair Work Agency | Economics

Labor has appointed Tony Blair’s former policy chief to lead a new labor market watchdog set up by the government to strengthen Britain’s workers’ rights.

Matthew Taylor, who led the influential Taylor report on the gig economy and modern working practices for Theresa May’s government, will become chair of the Fair Work Agency when the Fair Work Agency is established next April.

The new watchdog will form the basis of Labour’s proposals to massively strengthen workers’ rights by bringing Britain’s existing labor enforcement agencies into a single structure.

It will have the power to tackle employers who break the law, including naming and shaming fraudulent businesses that pay workers below the legal minimum wage, fining them and prosecuting them on behalf of workers.

Taylor, who ran Blair’s No 10 policy unit in the 2000s, used his gig economy review to call on May’s government for a serious overhaul of workplace rights. While his report was central to Tory efforts to win over economically insecure Labor voters, it was largely shelved as the party cycled through prime ministers.

He also served as the government’s labor market enforcement officer between 2019 and 2021, but has harshly criticized the Conservative Party for reneging on promises to protect workers from unscrupulous employment practices.

Taylor told the Guardian that Starmer’s government had the potential to make progress after the Conservative Party reneged on its promises.

“I think it was quite clear that the previous government could not get this balance right. [and] “I think this government will establish this balance correctly,” he said.

“Flexible working will always have an important role in our economy, but this should not come at the expense of mistrust and injustice towards workers.”

The recruitment of Taylor, one of the country’s leading employment experts, is expected to underline Labour’s determination to support workplace rights despite growing pressure from business for the party to tone down planned changes.

Bosses have warned that the government’s landmark employment rights bill, which includes a ban on zero-hour contracts and first-day rights to protect against unfair dismissal, will increase unemployment and damage the economy.

Business groups have stepped up lobbying ahead of Rachel Reeves’ November 26 budget, amid criticism that the Chancellor contributed to a slowdown in the job market by increasing employment-related taxes in last year’s budget.

But ministers insisted the bill would become law “in full” due to intense pressure from unions and left-wing MPs who feared Keir Starmer’s government would backtrack on the legislation.

Starmer’s reshuffle last month fueled unease among unions following the resignation of Angela Rayner and the replacement of employment minister Justin Madders, who championed the plan.

Labor also faced a fierce backlash from unions after the Guardian this month revealed ministers were investigating charging workers to take their bosses to the employment tribunal. Justice secretary David Lammy rejected the measure last week.

Kate Dearden, who replaced Madders last month, said Labor was “absolutely committed” to increasing workers’ rights.

“We will always listen carefully to feedback from businesses and unions because we want to make sure this legislation works for both workers and employers. That’s why it’s pro-business, pro-worker and pro-growth,” he said.

But the creation of the Fair Work Agency comes amid questions over its ability to raise funds and monitor the government’s tougher approach to implementing the workers’ rights package.

while drawing together Experts believe extra resources may also be required as the powers and powers of the Gang Executions and Labor Exploitation Authority, as well as other existing enforcement responsibilities, are used to create the Fair Work Agency.