Minimum Service Levels during strikes to be repealed

The government has announced it will repeal the Strikes Act 2023,  including Minimum Service Levels, to get public services back on track and strengthen the rights of working people.

The previous government announced the introduction of minimum service levels (MSLs) so that children's education is not disrupted during strikes.

But the NEU said it would place restrictions on education staff who have "democratically and legally voted for strike action, forcing most to go into work on strike days".

The deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds have written to the government departments with sectors most impacted by strikes.

These include education, health, transport, and energy.

They have also written to all 12 metro mayors across the country to start engaging with local employers on this upcoming change, being important partners in resetting relations with these vital sectors.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said: "Attempting to clamp down on the fundamental freedom of working people has got us nowhere and this was targeted at sectors who dedicate their lives to serving us all.

"That’s why we’re scrapping this pointless law and creating a new partnership between business, trade unions and working people through our New Deal.

"Repealing this legislation is the first part of our plan to reset industrial relations so they are fit for a modern economy.”

The formal repeal of the previous government’s legislation will form part of the upcoming Employment Rights Bill.