New bill introduced to ensure minimum service levels during transport strikes

Amid ongoing industrial action affecting rail travellers throughout 2022, the government has introduced a new bill aimed at ensuring a minimum level of service can continue during future transport strikes.

The initial rail strikes during June 2022 were estimated to have cost the UK economy up to £100 million due to the knock-on impact of preventing essential travel, such as daily commutes. The new proposals, promised in the Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto, will see employers and trade unions required to agree a minimum level of service during strikes.

Prime Minister Liz Truss said:

“Hardworking people and businesses should not be held to ransom by strike action which has repeatedly crippled our transport network this year.  

“This legislation delivers on our 2019 manifesto and will not only limit the unions’ ability to paralyse our economy, but will ensure passengers across the country can rightly continue to get to work, school or hospital.”

Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

“Strikes have affected nearly all of us over this last year – whether that means losing out on a day’s pay at work, having to close your business, missing vital medical appointments or stopping our children from getting to school.

“It is vital that public transport users have some continuity of service to keep Britain moving and growing – this legislation will give everyone the certainty they need to carry on with their daily lives.”

Following its first reading in Parliament today (20th October), the Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill is expected to come into force on transport services across the country in 2023 and follows similar rules already in place in countries across Europe, including France and Spain.

The latest round of rail strikes are due to take place on November 3rd, 5th and 7th, amid an ongoing pay dispute between a number of trade unions and rail operators, and are set to affect almost all services in England.