Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to consult on (a) secondary legislation and (b) policy on trade union voluntary access (i) agreements and (ii) adjudication.

Clause 46 of the Employment Rights Bill provides a framework for trade unions to access workplaces where an access agreement is reached between an independent trade union and an employer, making it easier for union representatives to recruit, organise and carry out other union-related activities.

The Government ran a consultation that closed on 2 December about the approach to enforcement of the right of access provisions. We are currently considering the responses to that consultation and will publish a government response in due course.

The Government will also consult on secondary legislation relating to the right of access framework following Royal Assent of the Employment Rights Bill.