Statutory rights for trade union future-proofing jobs representatives

That this House recognises that the UK is entering a period of significant industrial change, driven by the need to address the climate, nature and cost of living crises; acknowledges that these changes will have repercussions for many workplaces, particularly the oil and gas sector and heavy industry; calls for future-proofing representatives in trade union branches to be given statutory rights to reasonable paid time and training to carry out their role and that employers be legally required to involve these reps in workforce planning linked to decarbonisation; further recognises that statutory rights for trade unions reps deliver real change, as demonstrated by the success of health and safety reps in reducing serious injury rates in workplaces; commends the vital work already being done by trade union reps to further climate action and safeguard jobs; and calls on the Government to bring forward this measure in the forthcoming Energy Independence Bill, so workers have a defined role at the heart of the transition to a greener society.