Let workers strike for one year, government proposes

Workers would be given twice as long to strike under proposals being considered by the government.

- NINA LLOYD

Unions could be able to stage walkouts for up to a year after balloting members, according to a consultation document produced by the Department for Business and Trade.

Under existing legislation, if workers vote to strike, the mandate expires after six months and another poll must be carried out for any following action to be valid.

The government said doubling this time period would “strike the correct balance” between ensuring action is based on a recent vote and reducing the need for “costly and timeconsuming” re-ballots.

The proposed measures are part of a major overhaul of workers’ rights overseen by deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds.