Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Industrial Action: Maintaining Public Services

Thursday 22 June 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Cabinet Office's Cobra unit supports Departments in developing contingency plans for industrial action.
  • Government aims to minimise disruption to public services through coordinated preparedness.
  • Michael Fabricant highlighted the difficulties faced by constituents in the west midlands due to industrial action.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
Employment Democracy & Elections
Context

The Cabinet Office is dealing with industrial action affecting public services. The question stems from concerns over the impact of such actions on communities.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to maintain public services during industrial action; and if he will make a statement.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The Cabinet Office's Cobra unit continues to support Departments to develop their contingency plans. At the same time, we are co-ordinating preparedness across Government to minimise the impact on public services wherever possible. However, the only way to truly avoid disruption is by union leaders returning to the negotiating table and working constructively to reach a fair and reasonable deal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures or timelines for maintaining public services during industrial action.

How: Union Leaders Returning To The Negotiating Table

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Michael Fabricant Con
Employment
Context

The question arises from challenges faced by constituents due to industrial action, focusing on the impact of union restrictions on hiring practices.

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer. I am sure that he can imagine the difficulty that my constituents and those in Burntwood and other parts of the west midlands face because of industrial action. Does he agree that organisations should be free to employ anyone who is best able to do a job, regardless of whether they happen to be a member of a militant trade union?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

As ever, my hon. Friend is right. Indeed, the people of Lichfield deserve better and less industrial action. They are superbly represented by their Member of Parliament, who will continue to ensure that they get better than industrial action. I stand four- square with him.

Not addressed: Did not address whether organisations should be free to employ individuals based on ability alone.

How: Less Industrial Action, Superbly Represented

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email