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date: 8 March 2006

embargo: For immediate release

TUC welcomes progress on corporate manslaughter

Welcoming today's (Wednesday) announcement that the Government is to proceed with its proposed Corporate Manslaughter Bill, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'We are pleased that ministers have listened to concerns over the way that the original Bill focused overly on failures by senior managers and will instead now look for ways of broadening the basis for liability within an organisation.

'The Health and Safety Commission is currently working on new safety duties for directors, and the combination of these and the Bill could help make a real difference to the health and safety of UK workers. All responsible employers would welcome the changes, as would the relatives of those killed as a result of corporate negligence.

'The TUC is calling on the Government to introduce the Bill as soon as possible, and definitely during the current parliamentary session."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries: Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 8 Mar 2006