UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour MP Louise Haigh urges support for DPD drivers sacked over pay cuts, calling the firm’s actions “despicable” and unfair.”
As reported by The Guardian, Louise Haigh says Labour must stand by delivery workers dismissed for protesting pay cuts.
What did Louise Haigh say about DPD’s sacking of delivery drivers?
The ex-transport secretary Louise Haigh criticised the delivery company after workers claimed pay cuts threatened their earnings just before Christmas.
She said,
“This is pretty despicable behaviour from DPD management. Punishing vulnerable workers for standing up for their agreed terms and conditions should be illegal.”
Ms Haigh added that the
“Labour government needs to make sure they are standing on the side of the powerless against such exploitative practices.”
She warned that, despite the bill aiming to boost protections for over a million workers, it might not stop companies from unfair treatment like DPD’s, urging her party to back those dismissed.
What did Labour peer Peter Hendy say about protections for DPD drivers?
Labour peer Peter Hendy called for additional legal reforms to safeguard DPD drivers dismissed from their jobs.
He said,
“The protection against dismissal or detriment for trade union activities only applies to the activities of an independent trade union.”
Lord Hendy added,
“Penalising workers for making representations against detrimental changes to their terms and conditions is, quite simply, outrageous. It should be unlawful.”
What did Dean Hawkins say about DPD drivers’ pay cuts and government support?
Dean Hawkins, who lost his job defending DPD workers, praised Louise Haigh for supporting their cause.
He said,
“The government should be doing more to support workers in our position. You’ve got to remember: it was only a few short years ago that delivery drivers were keeping the country and businesses running during the pandemic.”
Mr Hawkins added,
“Any government should support our cause and make some clear rules and a lot more regulations for companies like DPD to save this happening again in future. So many have lost our income just before Christmas. It makes me sick, given how much money the drivers generate for the company.”
A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said,
“Every company should treat the people who work for them with respect and fulfil their obligations as a responsible employer. We don’t comment on individual cases.”
How are DPD drivers affected by pay cuts and sackings?
The delivery company DPD, reporting nearly £200m in pre-tax profits, cut delivery rates for self-employed drivers despite raising its top director’s pay.
Drivers warned the rate cut could slash their earnings by nearly £6,000 annually, rising to £8,000 for those handling extra Christmas deliveries.
DPD drivers halted work for three days in protest, forcing the firm to partially reverse rate cuts, but the reductions will continue in the new year.
Following the meeting, DPD fired drivers for raising concerns over their treatment, while Labour emphasized worker protection in government plans.
After key advocates of the employment rights bill—including Angela Rayner, Jonathan Reynolds, and Justin Madders, left ministerial posts, Downing Street insisted it would soon become law.
Why did Louise Haigh resign as transport secretary?
Louise Haigh resigned in November 2024 as transport secretary, within 12 hours of reports revealing her fraud conviction over a missing work phone.
She resigned after it emerged she had pleaded guilty in 2014 to fraud by false representation, following an Aviva probe into a missing work phone.
Ms Haigh said she was mugged in her mid-20s while working at Aviva, reporting her missing work phone and other items she believed were stolen.
In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, she wrote,
“I am sorry to leave under these circumstances, but I take pride in what we have done. I will continue to fight every day for the people of Sheffield Heeley who I was first and foremost elected to represent and to ensure that the rest of our programme is delivered in full.”
What is the UK’s employment right bill?
The bill’s purpose is to modernize and improve employment rights by supporting job stability, fair pay, and family-friendly policies. It also promotes workplace fairness and trade union rights to increase living standards.
It provides day-one employment rights, stronger protections for zero-hours and agency workers, unfair dismissal, and workplace harassment.