TUC welcomes Bruce Carr’s concerns over the Trade Union Bill

date: Friday 12 February 2016
embargo: For immediate release

The TUC has today (Friday) welcomed comments by Bruce Carr QC that the Trade Union Bill is a threat to industrial relations and civil liberties.

Mr Carr – who previously led a government review into trade union disputes – says he recognises concerns over the Bill’s impact on the right to protest and freedom of association.

Mr Carr’s article, for Jolyon Maugham QC’s blog, comes as the House of Lords debates the Bill.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“This is a very welcome intervention from Bruce Carr.

“The Carr Review has been used as a way to justify the biggest attack on unions in a generation.

“But today Mr Carr has highlighted the threat the Trade Union Bill poses to industrial relations and civil liberties.

“He rightly warns that this legislation will give too much power to employers, especially with unions being forbidden from using electronic balloting.

“It is becoming clearer by the day just how badly thought-through and dangerous this Bill really is.”

Mr Carr’s comments come just a month after the former head of the civil service Bob Kerslake described the Trade Union Bill as “authoritarian” and “partisan”.

Former Business Secretary Vince Cable has also spoken out against the Bill, warning that it will harm industrial relations and civil liberties and that there is “no evidence base” behind it.
 
NOTES TO EDITORS:
-  Bruce Carr QC led a government inquiry into trade union tactics during industrial disputes. When reporting back in 2014, Mr Carr made no proposals for changing in the law.
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