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British people are far more likely to want to remain part of the EU if it leads to better pay and rights at work, according to new polling published by the TUC.

The poll of 4,000 UK voters – commissioned from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research by the TUC – shows that 55 per cent of the public would be more supportive of Britain's membership of Europe if it did more to help working people get decent pay and conditions at work.

26 May 2015

British people are far more likely to want to remain part of the EU if it leads to better pay and rights at work, according to new polling published by the TUC.

The poll of 4,000 UK voters – commissioned from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research by the TUC – shows that 55 per cent of the public would be more supportive of Britain's membership of Europe if it did more to help working people get decent pay and conditions at work.

By contrast, fewer than one in four (23 per cent) say they would be more supportive of the UK’s EU membership if it did more to cut red tape on businesses.

The TUC says the poll should act as a warning to business leaders and politicians not to use re-negotiation to push for weaker rights at work.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “This poll should be a warning shot to business leaders and politicians. If they opportunistically use re-negotiation to call for weaker employment rights they will make getting a ‘yes’ vote much harder.

“Support for staying in Europe will haemorrhage if ordinary Britons feel their working lives are going to be made worse.

“Chipping away at paid holidays, rest breaks, maternity rights and fair treatment for part-time and agency workers is the last thing people want.

“Europe is at its best when it meets the interests of both business and workers. Abandoning this blueprint would be a disaster for the UK and the EU.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- GQRR conducted an online poll of 4669 respondents in Great Britain. The survey fielded from 10pm on 7 May to 12 May. The data was weighted to be nationally representative across age, gender, region, ethnicity and social grade. The sample contained a boosted total of 979 respondents in Scotland, weighted down to be nationally representative, giving a weighted total of 4049 respondents.

- Respondents were asked if they supported the following statements:

STATEMENT 1: I would be more supportive of Britain's membership of Europe if it did more to help working people get decent pay and conditions at work. 

STATEMENT 2: I would be more supportive of Britain's membership of Europe if it did more to cut red tape on businesses.

RESPONSE

Per cent

Agree statement 1 strongly

30

Agree statement 1 somewhat

24

Agree statement 2 somewhat

13

Agree statement 2 strongly

10

Neither

13

Don’t know

9

TOTAL STATEMENT 1

55

TOTAL STATEMENT 2

23

(Total does not add up to 100 as a result of rounding)

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

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