Watford’s MP and Tips Bill campaigner Dean Russell has thanked the government for confirming new legislation to ensure hospitality workers will retain their tips.
Following his Tips Bill campaign earlier this year Dean has gained confirmation from the Minister for Small Business, Paul Scully MP, that the government will be including workers’ rights for tips in the upcoming Employment Bill.
The purpose of the Tips Bill is to ensure that workers receive 100% of the tips that they are given by customers by formalising this requirement in law. This would be in the form of an agreement for staff to keep the tips meant directly for them, or to have agreements in place to ensure that tips are divided fairly. For example, staff at restaurants may agree that tips should also be allocated across all staff, including hard working kitchen team members.
In a letter to Dean, the Minister confirms he will work with Dean on ensuring the inclusion into the Employment bill delivers for workers stating “we will work together to prepare the policy and ensure legislative measures meet the needs of workers and businesses.”
Dean Russell said, “I am overjoyed that my Tips campaign has been a success and will see workers in Watford and across the UK keep their tips once this legislation passes through Parliament. The Small Business Minister and his team at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have been very supportive of the need to support workers’ rights for tips and assured me they will work with me on this important legislation.
"This is a huge win for hospitality workers across the UK and I want to thank the Minister and his team for confirming this important legislation, and also the many Watford based businesses which took the time to share their feedback and comments with me.”
The Minister for Small Business, Paul Scully, added “I want to thank Dean for meeting with me, and for all he has been doing to tackle this important issue. I look forward to working closely with him on this matter as we prepare the policy and ensure legislative measures meet the needs of workers and businesses.”
Following confirmation that the legislation will be part of the upcoming Employment law bill, the second reading of the Tips Bill will no longer be required and will be withdrawn.
