Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take following the statement by the International Labour Organization (ILO) on 15 June that the UK's existing and prospective laws on unions and strikes must conform with the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, and that His Majesty's Government was (1) invited to seek ILO technical assistance, and (2) requested to report progress by September, in addition to seeking more consultation with unions and employers.

The Government believes that our trade union law complies with international conventions, including those of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Workers in the UK have the right to join a union and organise, this is rightly protected by law. They also have the ability to strike should they wish to. The Government believes however that taking strike action has to be balanced with the rights of others, including employers and members of the public.

We will consider the findings of the ILO report carefully and respond in due course.