A government fact sheet on changes to tipping laws has been redrawn and rewritten after Unite intervened on its use of language which insulted hospitality workers.

Earlier this month, the government reneged on a commitment to hand over full control of tip allocation to workers. It then released a fact sheet that included demeaning language such as “the tyranny of a majority of workers” that discredited collective bargaining and wrongly suggested that workers with protected characteristics could lose out from a workers’ tips policy.

However, the fact sheet has now been removed and redrafted – and while Unite is pleased it no longer uses the derogatory language, the law change still does not ensure workers in hospitality receive 100 per cent of their hard-earned tips.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is glad the government saw sense and removed this insulting language towards hospitality staff, which had no place on a fact sheet released by a Labour government.

“However, the new tipping laws do not go far enough to protect workers in the sector, as the onus is still placed on guidance and consultation rather than a firm policy on collective bargaining. Unite will not stop campaigning until hospitality workers receive all of their tips.”

The new Tightening Tipping Law, coming into place in October 2026, will mandate that when employers draw up a tipping policy they must consult the workforce, ideally through a union or elected representatives. Any measures will be enforced via the employment tribunal system.

This puts the onus on consultation or guidance rather than strong collective bargaining, as well as placing a burden on workers to enforce their rights through employment tribunals, an unrealistic expectation in a sector where job security is fragile and retaliation is common.

Unite hospitality lead organiser Bryan Simpson said: "While there are improvements to the fact sheet in terms of the removal of offensive language towards hospitality workers, Labour must come forward with a fairer system to ensure every worker gets their tips.

“Under this new law, employers will still be able to manage tips unfairly. The act needs to be strengthened, placing workers and collective bargaining at the centre of it and Unite will continue to fight for this.”

Through its ongoing Fair Tips, Fair Pay campaign, Unite has been calling on Labour to strengthen the 2024 act, after finding several ways in which unscrupulous employers were holding on to tips, such as employers treating services charges as company income.

ENDS

Notes to editors Through the Fair Tips, Fair Pay campaign, Unite has called on Labour to strengthen the 2024 Act, including

Bringing in an outright ban on all deductions - no admin fees, no employer skimming, no 'cost recovery' clauses.

A statutory right for workers to elect tronc masters and committees, with clear protections against employer interference. A tronc is a central pool for payments made to employees at work.

Real-time transparency - tips must be itemised and paid with wages, not weeks later.

Stronger legal rights for unions to access workplaces and gain recognition in sectors where tips are routinely stolen.

Collective enforcement rights  - unions must be able to bring claims on behalf of groups of workers, reducing the burden on isolated individuals.

The introduction of fines and penalties that make it more costly for employers to break the law than to comply.

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org