09 February 2018

The Independent: Brexit: Official document raises prospect of tampering with workers' rights to boost economy

Government officials have raised the prospect that hard-won workers’ rights could be reviewed by the Government after Brexit in an attempt to boost Britain’s economy, The Independent can reveal.

A Whitehall impact assessment singles out workers’ protections – such as preventing people from being forced to work too many hours – as an area that might be used for “maximising regulatory opportunities” after withdrawal.

MPs who have seen the document claimed it shows ministers are considering weakening employment rights post-Brexit – with one branding the paper an “absolute disgrace”.

Theresa May has consistently said she will not weaken worker rights after the UK quits the EU, and has even vowed to strengthen them, but she has failed to commit to maintaining specific protections to do with working hours.

MPs told The Independent the document refers to a Department for Business, Environment and Industrial Strategy review of the potential impact of amending or removing existing employment regulations.

The Government has faced intense questions over the Brexit assessment paper, which MPs can now view under strict conditions.

It has already been reported that the paper suggests the UK will be worse off after Brexit, even if the country secures free trade deals with the EU and other countries.

But MPs who have read it now claim that a part of the document in which officials explore areas for boosting the UK’s economy also contains a lengthy section on “maximising regulatory opportunities”.

The section specifically mentions the EU’s Working Time Directive as one of the regulations which could present an opportunity. The directive limits the hours someone can work in a week to 48 for most employees, makes annual leave compulsory and states that staff must be allowed at least 11 hours rest a day.

Labour MP Stephen Kinnock, who sites on the Brexit Select Committee and spent “several hours” reading the document, told The Independent: “I think it’s an absolute disgrace that the Government is even looking at eroding workers’ rights. [...]

Full article on The Independent

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