As Julie mentioned in her Sunderland Echo column last week, the Trade Union Bill returned to the House of Commons today in order for MPs to discuss and vote on Lords Amendments.

Julie, who sat on the Committee Stage of the Bill, has fought the Bill at every opportunity and continues to oppose it. Pressure from Julie and Labour colleagues has forced the Government to make concessions.

The Government has diluted plans to cap facility time for union reps to carry out their duties and support their members, amended plans to abolish ‘check-off’ in the public sector, and will no longer restrict the right of trade unions to collect donations through a political fund -; one of the worst aspects of the Bill which was an attempt to stifle democratic opposition.

On the events of the day, Julie said, “I welcome these concessions but they are not enough. This Bill is an attack on the Trade Union movement and I will continue to wholeheartedly oppose it.”