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| Eurosceptics question motives for trade union bill climbdown | Eurosceptics question motives for trade union bill climbdown |
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| Downing Street has been accused of watering down its trade union bill in order to secure donations of £1.7m for the campaign to remain in the EU. | Downing Street has been accused of watering down its trade union bill in order to secure donations of £1.7m for the campaign to remain in the EU. |
| The SNP and Eurosceptic MPs questioned the government’s motives after ministers signalled a number of concessions on the bill, which has been fiercely fought by opposition parties and unions. | The SNP and Eurosceptic MPs questioned the government’s motives after ministers signalled a number of concessions on the bill, which has been fiercely fought by opposition parties and unions. |
| The TUC had publicly expressed frustration that it was having to expend energy and resources on campaigning against the bill when it would rather be doing so on the EU referendum. | The TUC had publicly expressed frustration that it was having to expend energy and resources on campaigning against the bill when it would rather be doing so on the EU referendum. |
| Following the concessions, Tommy Shepherd, the SNP’s Cabinet Office spokesman, said: “I have to speculate whether this is a genuine change of heart on behalf of the government or whether they may be other factors involved in its consideration of how many fronts it can fight on at once. | Following the concessions, Tommy Shepherd, the SNP’s Cabinet Office spokesman, said: “I have to speculate whether this is a genuine change of heart on behalf of the government or whether they may be other factors involved in its consideration of how many fronts it can fight on at once. |
| “I wonder perhaps if the proximity of 23 June and the referendum that’s going to happen then has persuaded the government that it ought to try and not engage in too large a conflict with the trade unions of this land because it needs their support in order to secure the government’s position of staying in the EU. | |
| “And that’s why all of us want to see the words written down in black and white rather than accept the spoken word of ministers at the dispatch box at this particular time.” | “And that’s why all of us want to see the words written down in black and white rather than accept the spoken word of ministers at the dispatch box at this particular time.” |
| Channel 4 reported that unions could be preparing to donate up to £1.7m to Labour In For Britain, but the campaign group said it had received no such offer yet. | Channel 4 reported that unions could be preparing to donate up to £1.7m to Labour In For Britain, but the campaign group said it had received no such offer yet. |
| Unions and Labour welcomed the concessions indicated by Nick Boles, a business minister, in the Commons on Wednesday. Boles said there would be a review of e-voting in strike ballots that could lead to pilots, which the government does not object to in principle. | Unions and Labour welcomed the concessions indicated by Nick Boles, a business minister, in the Commons on Wednesday. Boles said there would be a review of e-voting in strike ballots that could lead to pilots, which the government does not object to in principle. |
| He also confirmed the government’s decision to back down over plans to end the so-called check-off system of collecting union subscriptions directly from members’ salaries. | He also confirmed the government’s decision to back down over plans to end the so-called check-off system of collecting union subscriptions directly from members’ salaries. |
| “The bill that we welcome back to this house allows check-off to continue where the costs are met by the trade unions and on the basis that union members also have the option of paying subscriptions by other means,” Boles said. | “The bill that we welcome back to this house allows check-off to continue where the costs are met by the trade unions and on the basis that union members also have the option of paying subscriptions by other means,” Boles said. |
| Related: This sinister trade union bill is an assault on the rights of working people | Ellie Mae O’Hagan | Related: This sinister trade union bill is an assault on the rights of working people | Ellie Mae O’Hagan |
| Angela Eagle, the shadow business secretary, said: “After months of campaigning by the Labour party and trade unions, it is welcome that the government have thought again on changes to political funds and taken account of the proposals from peers of all parties and none in the report of the House of Lords committee, which was initiated by a motion from Labour’s lords.” | Angela Eagle, the shadow business secretary, said: “After months of campaigning by the Labour party and trade unions, it is welcome that the government have thought again on changes to political funds and taken account of the proposals from peers of all parties and none in the report of the House of Lords committee, which was initiated by a motion from Labour’s lords.” |
| But she added: “Despite the concessions from the government, Labour remains opposed to the trade union bill. It is entirely unnecessary and is bad for workers and businesses.” | But she added: “Despite the concessions from the government, Labour remains opposed to the trade union bill. It is entirely unnecessary and is bad for workers and businesses.” |
| Frances O’Grady, the TUC general secretary, said: “We are pleased that ministers have backed away from imposing a cap on union facility time, having originally planned to introduce this within six months of the trade union bill becoming law. | Frances O’Grady, the TUC general secretary, said: “We are pleased that ministers have backed away from imposing a cap on union facility time, having originally planned to introduce this within six months of the trade union bill becoming law. |
| “Paid time off for public sector union reps to represent their members is granted by employers because it is good for staff wellbeing, improves communication and stops problems escalating into disputes. We welcome the range of concessions that the government has offered, but continue to oppose the trade union bill in its entirety.” | “Paid time off for public sector union reps to represent their members is granted by employers because it is good for staff wellbeing, improves communication and stops problems escalating into disputes. We welcome the range of concessions that the government has offered, but continue to oppose the trade union bill in its entirety.” |