The government is bringing forward new strike laws to “maintain a basic function and deliver minimum safety levels” in the public sector during industrial action, the business department has confirmed.
In a statement, it said the government would “always protect the ability to strike”, but added: “It must be balanced with the public’s right to life and livelihoods”.
The legislation will be put to the Commons “in the coming weeks” and set minimum service levels for fire, ambulance and rail services when the sectors decide to take action.
The government will consult on what those service levels should be, but said it would take into account that “disruption to blue light services puts lives at immediate risk”.
There had been reports that other sectors would also be covered by the new laws, including health, education, nuclear power, other transport services and border security.
But the department said it “expects to continue to reach voluntary agreements” with those unions and “would only look to consult on minimum safety levels should these voluntary positions not be agreed”.
