Government announces plans to widen scope of exclusivity clause ban
09 May 2022
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), on 9 May 2022, announced plans to widen the scope of the exclusivity clause ban. The plan will see those with contracts that have a guaranteed weekly income at or below the lower earnings limit of £123 included in the ban.
The ban, which was introduced in 2015, currently only covers workers on zero-hour contracts. Following a consultation released in December 2020, the government have concluded that an extension should be implemented and the reforms will be laid before parliament later this year. Responses to the consultation highlighted ongoing effects of the pandemic and the majority of respondents agreed with the plans proposed by the government.
The plans aim to give greater flexibility to those on lower wages without the risk of dismissal for having more than one job. Business minister, Paul Scully, said:
“By extending the ban on exclusivity clauses, we are putting more control into the hands of the lowest paid, giving them the freedom to decide who they work for and how often, including the option to top up their pay packet if they wish.”
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