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Conservatives to make it harder for workers to go on strike

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Workers will find it more difficult to go on strike under plans to be introduced in the Government’s first Queen’s Speech, Business Secretary Sajid Javid has said.

The new Tory administration will prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff to fill gaps left by workers who have gone on strike, Mr Javid said.

New laws will be introduced to stop public sector strikes going ahead unless they have the support of 40% of workers eligible to vote.

And turnout will have to reach at least 50% of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead.

The newly-appointed Business Secretary said the Government would not hide away from the need to update strike laws but his comments are likely to provoke a furious reaction from trade unions.

Mr Javid told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “We have already made clear in terms of strike laws that there will be some significant changes.

“We’ve said that there will be a minimum threshold in terms of turnout of 50% of those entitled to vote.

“We have also said that when it comes to essential public services, at least 40% of people need to vote for strike action.

“And we’ve said we’re going to lift the ban on the use of agency staff when strike action takes place.

“That’s something we’ll give more detail on in the Queen’s Speech but it will be a priority.”

He added: “I think it’s also something that needs to be done. We need to update our strike laws and we’ve never hidden away from the changes we want to make.”

Mr Javid also outlined plans to deregulate businesses, create two million jobs and three million apprenticeships, and promote free enterprise.