The government's consultation on guaranteed hours for agency workers closed on 25 August 2026. BIOR submitted a full response arguing for rules that can work on a real temp desk. The regulations are now being written for 2027. Your MP can still press the minister for a workable threshold and a fair split of responsibility between agency and hirer.
The letter to your MP
Dear [MP name],
I run a recruitment business in your constituency. Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, agency workers are due to gain the right to guaranteed hours, reasonable notice of shifts and payment for cancelled shifts from 2027. The government's consultation on how these rights will work closed on 25 August 2026 and the regulations are now being drafted.
I am writing to ask you to raise three points with the Minister before the regulations are laid.
First, the hours threshold and reference period must reflect how temporary work is actually booked, or agencies will simply stop offering short assignments to the people who rely on them.
Second, where the hirer controls the shifts, the hirer should make the guaranteed-hours offer and carry the cost of late cancellations, as the consultation proposed. Agencies should not be liable for decisions they do not make.
Third, reliability should cut both ways. A worker who does not turn up for a booked shift should be part of the same conversation as a shift cancelled at short notice.
The British Institute of Recruiters, my professional body, submitted a full response to the consultation making these points. I would be grateful if you would put them to the Minister and let me know the reply.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
[Business name and address]