Amendments to the Employment Rights Bills have been slammed by a leading business trade association, claiming they risk "punishing responsible businesses". On Tuesday, the government tabled a set of changes to the Bill ahead of the report stage next week which follows a Business and Trade Committee publication saying the key reforms did not go far enough.

However, the proposed amendments have been met with concern from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) who believes Labour "have much further to go" to protect employees. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the BRC, said: "The focus of the Employment Rights Bill should be on unscrupulous employers who undermine confidence in the labour market, instead the current regulations risk punishing responsible businesses who provide employment."

The Institute for Economic Affairs also condemns the bill, warning it "risks stifling economic growth".

"The Government's Employment Rights Bill may be well-intentioned, but it risks damaging businesses which are already under pressure and stifling economic growth, whilst hurting the very workers the bill intends to protect," said Professor Len Shackleton, Editorial and Research Fellow at the IEA.

In contrast, Labour MP Andy McDonald, the former shadow secretary of state employment rights, believes the bill does not go far enough, submitting a further 18 amendments before it faces its third reading in the House of Commons on the 11 and 12 March.

These include a crackdown on "fire and rehire", greater powers for trade unions and to clarify a gig economy worker's status of employment.

Trade union think tank, the Institute of Employment Rights (IER), backs Mr McDonald's amendments, claiming they are "very much needed".

James Harrison, Director of IER, said: "The IER has had concerns that there are many trap doors for bad bosses to exploit within the Bill as it stands. The amendments put forward by Andy McDonald MP are careful, considered and very much needed. They are a good step in the right direction towards tightening up the Bill to make it fit for purpose and deliver more effectively for workers".

Trade Union Unite also believes that the Bill can further be strengthened by amendments at Report Stage. They are calling for an outright ban on fire and rehire and stronger union powers.

The Bill was first introduced last year as part of Labour's plan to Make Work Pay. The proposed amendments this week aim to tackle low wages, poor working conditions and poor job security.

The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said they are "turning the tide".

"We have been working closely with businesses and workers to progress this landmark bill and deliver our Plan for Change - unleashing growth and making work pay for everyone," she said.