Grant Shapps says Labour ‘putting lives at risk’ by opposing anti-strike law
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- 17 Jan 2023
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Labour accuses business secretary of ‘pouring petrol on fire’ of current strikes
Business secretary Grant Shapps has accused Labour and other opposition parties of “putting lives at risk” by planning to vote against the government’s anti-strike legislation.
The government is being accused of attempting to “steamroller” through its restrictions on strikes in six key sectors, amid mounting anger over the “spiteful” measure.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats will oppose the bill aimed at enforcing minimum levels of service during industrial action when it receives its second reading in parliament on Monday.
Mr Shapps told Politico that it was “frankly irresponsible for opposition MPs to put the lives of their constituents at risk by voting against this bill today, which is why public polling shows that the public supports our common-sense measure”.
The business secretary insisted that the Tory government “will always protect the right to withdraw labour … this overdue legislation will bring us into line with our European neighbours by providing minimum safety and service levels designed to protect lives”.
Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, said the government was “pouring petrol on the fire” of strikes with the legislative plan – accusing the government of “threatening nurses with the sack”.
Mr Shapps has not denied NHS and other key workers could be sacked if the bill passes, but played down the prospect of staff being fired for refusing to work in line with the new law.
“Today’s Conservative Party has resorted to threatening nurses with the sack because they can’t stomach negotiation,” said Ms Rayner.
She added: “This shoddy, unworkable bill won’t do a thing to help working people or avoid strikes. Instead of getting round the negotiating table to resolve disputes, they’re pouring petrol on the fire.” Read More…
