Business leaders urged Keir Starmer’s UK government to ensure its plan to bolster workers’ rights doesn’t stifle economic growth, during the first talks with ministers and trade unions since the election last month.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hosted the meeting Wednesday to discuss its planned Employment Rights Bill, which will be laid in Parliament by mid-October and is due to include a ban on “exploitative” zero-hours contracts, an end to “fire and rehire” policies and make entitlements including parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal available from the first day of employment.