# Tell workers in writing of their union rights

> “The duty is planned to come into force on 1 January 2027 with employers required to give the statement to new workers from its introduction and to existing workers by 6 April 2027.”
>
> — Kate Dearden, Minister for the Future of Work, Labour Party; Written ministerial statement, 13 October 2026

- **Status:** Promised
- **Status ladder:** Promised → In plan → Legislated → Funded → Delivering → Delivered
- **Policy area:** [Transport & economy](https://ledgergov.uk/promises/area/transport-and-economy)
- **Speaker:** [Kate Dearden](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/kate-dearden), Minister for the Future of Work
- **Party:** [Labour Party](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/labour)
- **Made on:** 13 October 2026
- **Where:** Written ministerial statement
- **Deadline:** 6 April 2027
- **Cost a year:** No costing published
- **Who it affects:** Workers, new and existing, and their employers
- **When:** In force on 1 January 2027 for new workers; existing workers by 6 April 2027
- **Paid for by:** Not stated when it was announced
- **Quote source:** https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-10-13/HCWS372 (checked word for word on 16 October 2026; Open Parliament Licence v3.0)
- **Last updated:** 16 October 2026
- **Card:** https://ledgergov.uk/promise/uk-union-rights-statement-2027

## Where it stands

The Employment Rights Act 2025 puts a new duty on employers to give workers a written statement about their right to join a trade union. The government's consultation response, published on 25 September, provides for a standard statement drafted by the government, covering what trade unions do, recognised unions, the Certification Officer's list and statutory rights on membership. The duty is planned to come into force on 1 January 2027 for new workers, with existing workers to receive the statement by 6 April 2027. The card moves when the duty comes into force.

## Timeline

- 13 October 2026, Promised: The minister for the future of work says the duty to tell workers of their right to join a trade union is planned to come into force on 1 January 2027
- 6 April 2027, Deadline (to come): Existing workers due to receive the trade union statement by 6 April 2027

## About the cost

No cost has been published.

## Sources

- [Written ministerial statement HCWS372, 13 Oct 2026: Make Work Pay Implementation](https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-10-13/HCWS372)

## Checks

- Checked automatically by AI Journalist, not yet verified by an editor.
- Checked by AI Journalist (automated) on 16 October 2026.

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