After campaigning for several years, I was delighted that my Tips Bill received Royal Assent on May 2. This means the new legislation is law and will come into force as soon as in the New Year.

Like many people I speak to across Watford, I have always had reservations that some employers kept tips which were earnt by their staff. This new law will end this unfair practice. The bill will crucially ensure workers in the hospitality industry receive the tips and gratuities given by customers, rather than businesses retaining them. It will also give customers the assurance that their tips are going to the staff who served them.

Unusually for a Private Members Bill, not only did I introduce it into Parliament but I also became the Minister for the Bill last year when I was pleased to be able to ensure the bill passed successfully through the committee stage.

When the bill comes into force, our fantastic workers in hospitality across Watford and the country will be able to retain their tips, knowing that they have legal protection to do so. Customers should also no longer have to ask if their tip will go to the staff – because legally 100 per cent of the service charge, tip or gratuity will go to them.

On a personal note, I have to say I am overjoyed at this result. In Parliamentary terms, successfully getting a Private Member Bills into law is notoriously difficult with many hurdles to overcome. For the Tips Bill in particular, I was told repeatedly by naysayers that it would never happen as many had tried before me and failed.

In this instance, and for the sake of hospitality workers across Watford I was glad my mantra to ‘never give up’ held firm. By holding firm there will be millions of hospitality workers benefitting across Watford and the UK.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been in touch to share their support for my Bill over the past few years. Together, we did it!

  • Dean Russell is Conservative MP for Watford