Starmer challenged on devolving employment law
Independence only way to guarantee workers' rights
The SNP has challenged Sir Keir Starmer to "clear up the confusion and come clean over whether the Labour Party is planning to block the devolution of employment law powers to Scotland" - after contradictory statements by party figures.
In an interview with the Daily Record today, Anas Sarwar claimed he "would love" for employment law to be devolved to Scotland but Deputy Leader Angela Rayner and Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray have already ruled it out.
The SNP has long campaigned for the devolution of employment law powers to Scotland - but the Labour Party worked with the Tories to block devolution during the Smith Commission in 2014, and have repeatedly failed to back it in parliamentary votes, including last month when Labour MPs deliberately dodged the vote on an SNP bill to devolve employment law.
Despite trade union calls to devolve employment, Labour today abstained on a vote aiming to do just that.
— David Linden MP (@DavidLinden) October 17, 2023
Labour would rather keep powers in Tory hands🥀 pic.twitter.com/FoKfMRgbXf
Commenting, SNP Social Justice spokesperson David Linden MP said:
"Sir Keir Starmer must clear up the confusion and come clean over whether the Labour Party is planning to block the devolution of employment law powers to Scotland.
"Workers in Scotland are vulnerable to Westminster attacks on workers' rights because the Labour Party has worked hand-in-glove with the Tories to block devolution.
"Independence is the only way to guarantee workers' rights. With full control over employment law, the Scottish Parliament would be able to protect and extend workers' rights - with the power to introduce progressive measures like a Real Living Wage and increased statutory sick pay.
"Other independent European nations are wealthier, fairer and have better pay and conditions for workers than the UK - so the question is why not Scotland?"
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