The upcoming General Election will be held on Thursday 4 July and is poised to impact some laws, policies and various sectors. Below, our team of experts here at Salford Business School share their thoughts on the potential effect the election could have on the law, housing, immigration, retail and the world of work/employment law. Here’s what they have to say:
“Whichever party gets into power, housing is a major focus!”
Louise Hall, Senior Lecturer in Law (Practice) and Solicitor, as well as SILKS Lead
“Housing is a key issue for all political parties, focusing on both the rental and buyer markets. The low supply and high demand for rental properties have driven up rents. Both main parties pledge to ensure a higher supply of more affordable homes and address rental sector issues, but their focuses differ.
“The Conservatives aim to help first-time buyers with the Help to Buy scheme and a Stamp Duty freeze. Labour focuses on building social and affordable housing by reforming the planning sector.
“In the rental sector, both main parties plan to abolish no-fault evictions through the Renters (Reform) Bill.
“Housing charities like Shelter support Labour’s pledge to build more affordable housing by reforming planning. In relation to the private renting sector, The National Residential Landlord Association acknowledges both parties’ commitment to ending Section 21 evictions, emphasising fairness for tenants and landlords. They are committed to working with any future government, including Labour.
“Whichever party gets into power, housing is a major focus, and many bodies and organisations will have a keen eye to see whether these pledges lead to real change.”
“This election will have a profound impact on where asylum seekers’ futures might lie.”
Sean Ell, Lecturer in Law
“A key legal question facing the next government is the issue of asylum. How do we as a country, fairly and safely help those fleeing their country?
“The UK’s asylum system costs £4 billion a year. By the end of 2023, system delays meant approximately 129,000 people were still waiting on their initial asylum decision and as a result, accommodation costs were £8 million per day. Inadmissibility of claims and the Rwanda scheme further complicate matters. Those refused asylum can wait almost a year for resolution of any appeal.
“Resolving the future of the Rwanda scheme and reducing the backlog will be key priorities for the next government.
“Linked problems such as the right to work, lack of Legal Aid funded representation and suitable accommodation provision also need to be solved. The two main parties disagree on keeping the Rwanda scheme, with the Labour Party considering it to be an ineffective solution and would scrap it, putting the resources into new border policing instead.
“This election will have a profound impact on where asylum seekers’ futures might lie, and how the UK is viewed globally.”
“It is clear that the relationship between government and the high street needs major reconsideration.”
Dr Gordon Fletcher, Associate Dean, Research and Innovation
“Despite significant debate on taxes during the election campaign, there has been little focus on the retail sector, VAT and business rates. Ultimately, it is people who cast ballots so personal tax burdens will always be more of a focus. Both Labour and Conservative manifestos mention VAT and business rates, acknowledging the impact of online retail on physical stores. Both parties commit to no VAT increases, but their approaches to business rates differ.
“Conservatives want to increase business rates on warehouse operations. Effectively increasing the tax burden for online retailers.
“The Labour statement is more ambitious and, as a result, somewhat vaguer. It describes replacing the current business rates system with something cost-neutral to high street retailers that levels the playing field.
“It is clear that the relationship between government and the high street needs major reconsideration – so the big options do need to be explored. The big unspoken challenge are the challenges brought about by Brexit. It is fair to say that manifesto statements regarding relationships follow political lines.
“No commentator is expecting significant change to the sector following the General Election (through the remainder of 2024 or even 2025). The high street needs to be in a position where it can change and evolve to current conditions, and this can be accelerated by a government that is also willing to adopt change and evolution in its thinking.”
“Employers to review and update their policies accordingly, as some may be implemented fairly quickly after the election.”
Dr Jonathan Lord, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management
“The 2024 UK General Election is set to bring significant changes to employment law and workers’ rights. Labour aims to simplify employment status categories to “worker” and “self-employed,” and to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts by offering contracts reflecting average hours over 12 weeks. The Liberal Democrats propose creating a “dependent contractor” status with rights like minimum earnings, sick pay and holiday entitlement. They also advocate for higher minimum wages for zero-hours workers and the right to request fixed-hour contracts after 12 months.
“The Conservatives focus on maintaining labour market flexibility and raising the national living wage within the current framework, without specific proposals on zero-hours contracts or employment status changes.
“Labour plans to strengthen worker protections under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE), likely enhancing legal recourse for employees. The Conservatives propose minor reforms to simplify the TUPE process for businesses, aiming to streamline mergers and acquisitions.
“Family-friendly rights are another key area of focus. Labour proposes day-one parental leave rights, stronger maternity protections, bereavement leave for all workers and exploring paid carers’ leave. The Liberal Democrats advocate for day-one parental pay and leave rights, increased maternity and paternity pay, additional leave for fathers, and require large employers to publish parental leave policies. The Conservatives propose enhanced paternity leave in specific bereavement situations.
“All parties aim to improve family-friendly rights, though their proposals vary in specifics and scope. This trend towards improved employee rights and benefits will require employers to review and update their policies accordingly, as some may be implemented fairly quickly after the election.”