The rejection of proposed amendments to the government’s Employment Rights Bill risks creating unnecessary barriers to growth and worsening conditions in the UK labour market, according to the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo UK). Samantha Hurley, Managing Director at APSCo UK, described the decision as “disappointing” and said recruitment experts and business leaders had been ignored despite raising concerns about the Bill’s impact. “The Employment Rights Bill is, without doubt, one of the most significant and large-scale changes to employment legislation that today’s recruitment leaders and businesses have seen. Industry groups, however, have repeatedly warned that the reforms risk imposing further costs and complexity on employers at a time when the UK labour market is already cooling. APSCo UK said it would continue to engage with ministers to push for reforms that balance protection for workers with flexibility for businesses to thrive.