Government changes law to make it easier to employ agency staff during strikes

Amid a series of strikes over wages failing to keep pace with spiking rates of inflation, as well as other matters including safety concerns, the Government has changed the law to make it easier to employ suitably qualified agency workers during industrial action.

The Government says that it is removing restrictions on the provision of agency workers to plug holes created by strike action to prevent disruption to vital services and the UK economy.

Employers will still be responsible for ensuring that any agency workers brought in place of striking staff have the appropriate skills and qualifications required for the roles.

At the same time, the Government increased the maximum costs award that can be made against a union found to have organised unlawful strike actions from £250,000 to £1 million.

Link: New law in place to allow businesses to hire agency workers to plug staffing gaps caused by strike action