The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has warned that the Government is attempting to tie up unions in red tape, after the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Department announced a raft of reforms.

In a ministerial statement on employment rights, BEIS Secretary Paul Scully recently announced plans for a new ‘workers’ watchdog’ to take over responsibility for tackling modern slavery, enforcing minimum wage and other issues.

The Government said this “one-stop shop will improve enforcement and ensure employees and businesses and know where to go for help on workers’ rights.” However, the TUC indicated changes to the role of the trade union certification officer announced by BEIS the same day exposed the government’s real agenda.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “This pandemic has brutally exposed the terrible working conditions and insecurity many in Britain face. Millions have turned to unions to protect their jobs, defend their rights and keep their workplaces safe. But rather than cracking down on bad employers, the government is trying to tie unions up in more red tape.”  

She said that ministers should be working with unions to improve working lives – not looking for new ways to undermine them.