Human Rights 'Risk' In Tory Strikes Bill

The proposals, which moved rapidly through the Commons and are now in the House of Lords, aim to ensure minimum working standards during strike days across six sectors, including health and transport.

MPs and peers have urged ministers to think again about a controversial new strikes law, warning the legislation would likely put the UK in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

A new report by the Joint Committee on Human Rights, made up of peers and MPs, warns Rishi Sunak's Government that the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill is likely to be incompatible with the ECHR.

The plans have been attacked by trade unions, while Labour has promised to repeal the law if it wins power. The proposed legislation does not set out what the minimum service levels should be, but hands ministers the power to impose minimums through secondary legislation.

In the new report, MPs and peers raise concerns the plan would clash with requirements under Article 11 of the ECHR, which guarantees freedom of association for workers.