News

The right to strike and 8 other things at risk under the new Tory government

1. The right to strike

New Business Secretary Sajid Javid has proposed making "significant changes" to strike laws. Under government plans strikes involving public services would need the backing of 40 per cent of eligible members to go ahead. Union leaders have warned employees will have no more rights than "Oliver Twist when he asked for more" under the proposals. Such thresholds would also make the majority of the coalition's police and crime commissioner elections invalid.

2. Privacy

A Bill that would give the government more surveillance powers - known as the Snoopers’ Charter - is now back on the agenda, according to Theresa May. It is thought the legislation would force British internet service providers to retain large amounts of data about their customers which would be available to the government and security services.

3. Independent thought

David Cameron told his National Security Council on Wednesday that they were planning to target people who did believe in "certain values". "For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens: as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone," he said. "Whether they are violent in their means or not, we must make it impossible for the extremists to succeed.”

4. The Human Rights Act

The Government plans to abolish the Human Rights Act, which guarantees the right to life, liberty, a private life and a fair trial, and replace it with a new British Bill of rights.

5. Rights for migrants

Home Secretary May has claimed migrants who risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean to reach Europe should be returned home. More than 1,800 people have died trying to cross the Mediterranean since January.

6. Jobseekers' allowance for young people

The Government plans to slash benefits by £12bn, and ITV News reports one proposal would see job seekers' allowance (JSA) scrapped for 18-21-year-olds and replaced by a six-month allowance.

7. Housing benefit for young people

Another proposed cut would hit the right of those under 21 to claim housing benefit.

8. Foxes

The Government plans to bring back fox hunting.

9. FOI

Downing Street said on Wednesday that ministers would amend Freedom of Information (FOI) laws to strengthen the government's ability to block documents from being published. The decision comes after the Supreme Court ruled that some of Prince Charles's letters to ministers from 2004-5 should be published under FOI laws.

More: This is the creepiest thing David Cameron has ever said

The Conversation (0)
x