BUT consultation notably rows back on past Labour pledges to end, or move towards, ending our two-tier system of 'workers' (employees have more rights than so-called 'limb (b) workers'). It says creating a single status of worker is a 'longer-term goal' the government will only 'consider'. 6

Whether the new FWA, just finding feet as merger of several bodies, would have enough capacity to handle high-profile legal action - possibly vs some global firms' top lawyers - is a big open Q. When I asked its chair recently, he flagged it partly assesses status already in e.g. NMW cases. 5

Interestingly, it also floats some new ideas - the government itself via its new Fair Work Agency taking organisations to tribunal on workers' behalf, which would be a radical step. Plus it floats an online tool to help people work out their employment status, which sounds eminently sensible. 4

It includes 2 pre-briefed measures. First, it moves onus from individuals to organisations to prove they're 'workers' not self-employed. Second, it tries to tackle a loophole that means workers in all but name - with according rights - don't get them if they can technically send a substitute. 3

NEW: A consultation's out on cracking down on 'bogus self-employment', aimed at tackling the exploitation of gig economy workers, and it includes one surprisingly radical measure. But it's missing the progress simplifying, clarifying and strengthening workers' rights Labour promised in '24. 🧵

It's no wonder polling show Labour ranks last on who is most supportive of the self-employed (Reform's first). Or that the public say Labour cares for civil servants and doctors than construction workers, Uber drivers and influencers.

Also - Labour called itself the 'party of the self-employed' and promised to champion the genuinely self-employed in 2024, too. That matters, given widespread low pay and security. But has anyone heard senior ministers even mention the self-employed since, let alone set out a proper offer?

Labour had promised...just that in '24 (screenshot). Just like the Tories promised action too in '18. It’s now nearly a decade since the Taylor Review urged government to stand up for gig economy workers. Why are we letting down our most precarious workers - especially in the party of labour?

For our new report, Painting the City Red, we went to Bristol to ask voters what they thought about Labour and their values. One answer came through clearly: Labour’s values no longer feel clear enough.