The UK government has been accused by unions of reneging on promises to boost workers’ rights as employers increasingly use controversial “fire and rehire” tactics amid the covid-19 pandemic.

The accusations flew after ministers failed to include a much-anticipated employment bill in this week’s Queen’s Speech. The government promised new employment protections to improve workers’ rights in 2019. However, two years on, no new legislation has been brought forward as employers and employees struggle with the effects of the covid crisis.