Bosses who "shamelessly" withhold tips from staff could finally be rapped - after six years of Tory delays.
A backbench MP's law that will overhaul tipping practices has been formally backed by the government - after years of workers on low wages missing out on an average of £2,000 a year.
It was at last announced that the government had supported rules ensuring that all tips go to workers - making it illegal for businesses to hold back cash.
In recent years it has been easy for companies to keep hold of tips paid by card, sparking outrage among the hospitality industry due to the move to a cashless society.
After years of delays, the government finally announced it was backing the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill.
The Private Member's Bill is not yet passed, but with the government's backing it is now much more likely to become law.
But union bosses are "not confident" the bill is strong enough - hitting out at the length of time it's taken to address the problem.
Unite national officer for hospitality, Dave Turnbull, said: “In the six years since workers were promised action on tips an awful lot of money has been lost by low paid workers.
“This bill has been long in the making but it certainly cannot be the last word in tips protections. As the union fighting for reform for years, it has been the pressure of the workers that has brought even this first step towards change. It is vital that what is passed into law has the full confidence of the hospitality workforce.
“Sadly, at this stage we are not confident that these measures will address the problems with tipping practices across the hospitality sector.”
In a statement today, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: "Despite most hospitality workers – many of whom are earning the National Minimum Wage - relying on tips to top up their pay, there are still sadly too many businesses who shamefully fail to pass on service charges from customers to their staff."
It has previously said the move towards a cashless society had “accelerated dodgy tipping practices” as firms find it easier to keep funds.
Trade union Unite has previously said the delay has cost waiting staff £2,000 a year, with general secretary Sharon Graham saying it was "shocking" that workers had to wait for years for the situation to be addressed.
Today's announcement comes weeks after Boris Johnson snubbed workers by leaving an Employment Bill - pledged for years - out of the Queen’s Speech.
That Bill was meant to include the ban on restaurants creaming off waiters’ tips that was first promised in 2016. Ex-PM Theresa May said she was “disappointed” in the delay at the time.
While the government has now found another way to pass the waiters’ tips crackdown, other key Employment Bill policies have fallen by the wayside.
It would have brought forward more rights to request flexible working, which are in the spotlight after Covid.
But the Mirror understands the government has no immediate plan to do this any more, believing firms have adapted to the “new normal” and government intervention won’t be needed.
That has left unions and campaigners furious.
UK Hospitality Chief Executive, Kate Nicholls, said: “Tips and service charges provide a significant and welcome boost to hospitality employees’ take-home cash.
"So we’re delighted to see this proposed legislation recommend that employers can set a fair distribution policy for staff, meaning they all benefit. This should also reassure prospective hospitality sector workers at a time when the industry is seeking to fill vacancies."
The bill was proposed by backbencher Dean Russell, who said: "It has always felt wrong that some employers have retained tips intended for their staff.
"This new legislation will halt this practice, particularly given the current challenges around the cost of living. I would like to thank all of the businesses and stakeholders that have got in touch to voice their support."
