Bill - Protect - Speak up stop harm

Two Steps Forward and One Step Back – the Final Outcome for Whistleblowing Reform in the Employment Rights Bill

23rd September 202523rd September 2025 by Mark Ellis

On the afternoon on Monday 15th September the government voted to overturn an amendment in the Employment Rights Bill to strengthen protections for whistleblowers. The amendment – which had been voted in by peers in the House of Lords – would have required the government to broaden unfair dismissal grounds and, for the first time, require large employers to take reasonable steps to investigate whistleblowing concerns.

Initial thoughts on the Hillsborough Bill – what does it mean for whistleblowers?

30th September 202518th September 2025 by Mark Ellis

The long-awaited Public Office (Accountability) “Hillsborough” Bill has been published aimed at ending ‘the culture of cover-ups and hiding the truth, ensuring transparency, accountability, and support for bereaved families’. The closing of ranks and cover ups from people who should be protecting the public formed an all too depressing theme for many disasters including the Grenfell Tower fire, the Infected Blood Scandal and the Post Office/Horizon scandal. However, candour means always telling the truth – not just to coroners and inquiry chairs – and the Bill’s ambitious aims will not be realised if whistleblowers are too afraid to come forward, or if – when they do – their concerns are ignored.