December marked an intense close to the parliamentary year, with significant developments across employment law, health and social care, and workforce regulation. The passage of the Employment Rights Bill dominated proceedings, culminating in a final Lords compromise that secured Royal Assent while leaving unresolved concerns about business certainty and constitutional process. Alongside this, Parliament scrutinised mounting pressures on the NHS, particularly around winter preparedness, mental health provision, workforce shortages and long-term sustainability.
Health and care policy featured prominently throughout the month, with committee evidence sessions exposing deep systemic challenges in mental health funding, maternity safety, frailty, and healthy ageing. Debates in both Houses underscored persistent regional inequalities and the growing reliance on charitable and community provision, while Ministers reiterated commitments to reform, integration and prevention. Regulatory changes, including the establishment of the Fair Work Agency and technical amendments to health legislation, further signalled a continued shift towards stronger enforcement and system-wide accountability as Parliament looks ahead to 2026.
Policy Highlights
Legislation – Employment Rights Bill – consideration of Commons amendments
Volume 851: debated on Wednesday 10 December 2025
See the full notes and transcript here
This final Lords ping-pong debate on the Employment Rights Bill centred on a tripartite compromise between government, unions and employers that unlocked passage of the Bill. The key settlement replaced day-one unfair dismissal rights with a six-month qualifying period, while controversially removing the compensation cap for unfair dismissal. While most speakers accepted the six-month compromise as necessary and pragmatic, serious constitutional and practical concerns were raised about the late, unconsulted abolition of the cap. Despite lingering unease—particularly from business-focused peers—the House ultimately prioritised securing Royal Assent, ending ping-pong and allowing the Bill to pass.
17 December 2025 – The Work of the Department for Health and Social Care – Oral evidence
Health and Social Care Committee
See the full notes and transcript here
Witness:
- Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State at Department of Health and Social Care
- Samantha Jones, Permanent Secretary at Department of Health and Social Care
- Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive Officer at NHS England
The session exposed deep and interlinked pressures across the NHS, with particular concern about mental health funding, workforce shortages, maternity safety and the costs of industrial action. While the Government emphasised increased investment and a shift towards outcome-based accountability, the Committee remained sceptical about whether current funding frameworks adequately protect mental health and community services. Persistent service failures, reliance on charitable provision in palliative care, and unresolved workforce disputes highlighted the scale of reform required to deliver integrated, sustainable and equitable care across the health system.
Legislation
Health and Care Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025
Volume 850: debated on Thursday 4 December 2025
See the full notes and transcript here
The Regulations make technical amendments to the Down Syndrome Act 2022 to update references to NHS bodies following structural reforms, ensuring that integrated care boards and NHS England are correctly captured by statutory duties. The Government confirmed that guidance under the Act will be implemented, kept under review, and aligned with future reforms, with the overarching aim of improving care and support for people with Down syndrome maintained.
Employment Rights Bill
Volume 777: debated on Monday 8 December 2025
See the full notes and transcript here
The Commons considered and rejected multiple Lords amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, instead approving Government amendments in lieu. Central changes included reducing the unfair dismissal qualifying period to six months from 2027, removing the compensation cap, introducing consultation requirements on guaranteed hours and seasonal work, reforming trade union political fund rules, and repealing strike ballot turnout thresholds. Despite significant opposition criticism, the Government secured decisive votes to advance the Bill in line with its manifesto commitments.
Chamber Business
Terminal Illness: Mental Health Support
Volume 776: debated on Wednesday 3 December 2025
See the full notes and transcript here
The House debated the inadequacy and inconsistency of mental health support for people with terminal illnesses, drawing on powerful personal testimony and evidence of systemic underprovision. Members highlighted gaps in specialist psychological care, severe funding pressures on hospices, and significant regional inequalities, while calling for baseline mental health assessments and clearer referral pathways. The Government reaffirmed its commitment to integrating mental health into palliative care through commissioning requirements, increased investment, and a forthcoming national framework.
NHS: Winter Preparedness
Volume 777: debated on Monday 15 December 2025
See the full notes and transcript here
The urgent question on NHS winter preparedness highlighted extreme pressures caused by a severe flu wave, rising RSV cases and resident doctor strikes. The Government defended its vaccination programme, emergency care investment and winter planning, while strongly condemning industrial action as dangerous and irresponsible. Although Members raised serious concerns about corridor care, delayed discharges and vaccine access, Ministers argued that the NHS is better prepared than in previous years and committed to long-term recovery through sustained funding, workforce reform and system integration
Fair Work Agency: Small and Micro Businesses
Volume 851: debated on Wednesday 17 December 2025
See the full notes and transcript here
The House of Lords examined the potential impact of the proposed Fair Work Agency on small and micro businesses. The Government argued that the agency will simplify enforcement by consolidating existing bodies, provide tailored guidance for SMEs and focus on serious labour abuses rather than minor errors. While peers raised concerns about regulatory burden, independence and implementation, Ministers maintained that the Fair Work Agency will support compliant businesses, enhance fairness in the labour market and become operational by April 2026.
Committee Hearings
10 December 2025 – Healthy Ageing: physical activity in an ageing society – Oral evidence
Health and Social Care Committee
See the full notes and transcript here
- Jeanette Bain-Burnett, Executive Director for Policy and Integrity at Sport England
- Huw Edwards, CEO at UKactive
- Charlotte Osborn-Forde, CEO at National Academy for Social Prescribing
- Graeme Sinnott, Director of Place and Strategy and Deputy CEO at Active Partnerships National Organisation
- Bethany Badrock, Ageing Well Programme Manager, GM Ageing Hub at Greater Manchester Combined Authority
- Siobhan Farmer, Director of Public Health at Gloucestershire County Council
- Ryan Hughes, Head of Programmes and Partnerships at Active Norfolk
The inquiry demonstrates that physical activity is one of the most effective and cost-efficient tools for supporting healthy ageing, preventing illness, and reducing NHS demand. Despite strong evidence, physical activity remains undervalued, inconsistently commissioned, and poorly integrated into health systems. Witnesses argue for a prevention-focused, place-based approach that prioritises strength and balance, addresses health inequalities, strengthens social prescribing, and fully utilises the physical activity workforce. Sustained national leadership and long-term investment are essential to embed physical activity as a core pillar of health policy.
Care England’s Despatch Box: Our Responses to Parliament
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rules are changing
From April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rules are changing, and every employer needs to be prepared.
Support the Next Generation of Talent in Care with T Level Industry Placements.
From SDN Mesma Group in partnership with the Department for Education (DfE)
Help shape the future care workforce by offering T Level industry placements in your organisation. These two-year qualifications combine classroom learning with real-world experience, preparing young people for careers in the care industry.
Comments
Login/Register to leave a comment