Debate welcomed on terminally ill workers' rights

Lee Barron said the debate would be "the start of a conversation, not the end"

An MP says a debate on employee rights for terminally ill workers is "the start of a conversation, not the end".

Lee Barron, the Labour MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, led a 90-minute debate at Westminster Hall for a change in the law to create additional employment protection for people who have been told they have less than six months to live.

Though rare, Mr Barron said a "loophole" meant some employers were able to dismiss workers who were terminally ill.

However, responding on behalf of the government, a minister in the Department of Business and Trade said a change was not needed.

Justin Madders told the debate that the "flexible approach we currently have is the right one".

But Mr Barron, a vocal supporter of the Dying to Work campaign, said calls for change would not go away.

He said: "If you have been given a terminal diagnosis, the last thing you should be worrying about is taking your workplace to an employment tribunal.

"It [the debate] is about our values as a society and our values are of compassion and fairness. Those values shouldn't stop at the front door of your workplace.

"I fully welcome that there were three other political parties in there all wanting to work cross-party with us."

Greg Smith, MP for Mid Buckinghamshire and Conservative spokesperson for Business and Trade, echoed that sentiment.

He told the debate he was "committed" to working to "improve the lives of those who have a terminal diagnosis".

He said it was important that people with terminal illnesses should be "supported and cared for in their final months."