Trade union reforms to be debated

The Conservatives’ Trade Union Bill, which will tighten rules on strike ballots and introduce curbs on picketing, will be debated in the House of Commons later today.

It is the first time MPs will have had a chance to debate the proposals, which the unions have said they will fight “tooth and nail”.

New Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused the government of “attacking working people”.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "This is a one nation government acting in the interests of the whole country and these reforms will stop the ‘endless’ threat of strike action hanging over hardworking people."

Shadow Scotland Secretary Iain Murray said the Scottish Government should prepare to shield Scottish workers from the impacts of the Bill.

“If we don’t succeed in stopping the Trade Union Bill tonight, the Scottish Government needs to do all it can to make sure this Bill does not affect people who work in Scotland’s public services. We need to hear urgently from the Scottish Government about how they plan to stop this attack on working people, as the Labour First Minister in Wales already has,” he said.

The SNP called the Bill “Dickensian”. Chris Stephens MP said the party would look to form alliances to amend it.

“No-one wants strikes, but the way to avoid them isn't to provoke confrontation by legislating them out of existence. The right way is to pursue a relationship with both workers and employers based on respect and co-operation,” he said.