Trade unions have reacted with dismay at the absence of an Employment Bill, which many had been expecting to feature in the Queen's Speech on 11 May, following the government's promise not to erode workers' rights after departure from the EU and its promise to strengthen enforcement of rights for vulnerable workers. The only employment measures referred to were:

• a "Skills and Post-16 Education Bill" to enable people to access education and training flexibly throughout their working lives
• the government will bring forward 'measures' to address racial and ethnic disparities, although it is not yet known what the Government's response is to a report commissioned on ethnic pay gap reporting (which recommended a voluntary approach).