January 11, 2023
1 min read

UK introduces laws to mitigate disruption of strikes on public

The UK has been in the grip of a wave of strikes, which started in summer 2022 and continued into this year, as inflation has stayed consistently high and pay rises failed to keep up…reports Asian Lite News

The government has introduced new laws that would enable it to set minimum levels of service during strikes to ensure the safety of the public and their access to public services.

In a bid to mitigate the disruptions caused by strikes, the bill would ensure that crucial public services, such as rail, ambulances and fire services, maintain a minimum service during industrial action, “reducing risk to life and ensuring the public can still get to work,” a government statement said on Tuesday.

“The first job of any government is to keep the public safe. Because whilst we absolutely believe in the ability to strike, we are duty-bound to protect the lives and livelihoods of the British people,” Business Secretary Grant Shapps said in the statement.

The UK has been in the grip of a wave of strikes, which started in summer 2022 and continued into this year, as inflation has stayed consistently high and pay rises failed to keep up. Rail workers and nurses were among those who staged the action, Xinhua news agency reported.

The government locked horns with the trade unions. It said the pay rises that unions had called for were unaffordable and higher pay would not help fight inflation. On Monday, government ministers and unions met, but the talks once again failed to change course.

The unions criticised the new legislation on Tuesday. This bill was “another dangerous gimmick” from a government that should be negotiating to resolve the current crisis, said General Secretary Sharon Graham of Unite, one of the largest trade unions in the UK.

“Evidence from abroad clearly shows this kind of legislation only forces unions to use other tactics, inflaming and prolonging disputes,” Graham added.

ALSO READ: Poll paints bleak picture for Sunak in 2024

Previous Story

Kishida, Sunak ink historic defence deal

Next Story

UK, SEC Thailand sign MoU on financial services

Latest from -Top News

RCB’s Long Wait Over

Long branded as underachievers, RCB finally buried that tag with a complete campaign in 2025…reports Asian Lite News For a fleeting moment, it looked like history was about to repeat itself! After

Bilawal Sounds Alarm: Kashmir Campaign in Crisis

Bilawal dismissed an attempt by a Palestinian journalist to equate Kashmir and Gaza, a familiar ploy that some Pakistanis have also used….reports Asian Lite News Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

India, UK Cement Strategic Ties

Oliver Robbins met Vikram Misri in New Delhi for UK–India talks reviewing their strategic partnership….reports Asian Lite News Oliver Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), met

India, Malaysia Stand Together on Terror

The Speaker reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to peace and thanked the Indian delegation for the briefing on India’s approach to dealing with terrorism at large…reports Asian Lite News An all-party Indian delegation met
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Truss downplays prospect of recession

Gove, who has held a raft of cabinet roles and

India, UK agree to step up security cooperation

During the meeting, India impressed upon the UK authorities the