UNION leaders have warned the post-Brexit trade deal agreed between the UK and European Union would put workers’ rights on the line and will not protect jobs.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said the deal was better than nothing, “but not by much”.
She said: “As we come out of the pandemic, we’re facing a crunch point for jobs and living standards. This deal is on the Prime Minister’s head – it’s his responsibility to make sure working families don’t end up worse off.
READ MORE: Scotland reacts as UK and EU secure Brexit trade agreement
“Now the Prime Minister must make good on his promise to level up Britain. And he needs to act fast.
“There can be no more pointing the finger at the EU. Government must deliver an industrial strategy for decent work, with investment in jobs and green industries in parts of the country that need it most.”
O’Grady said ministers must now urgently build on the deal to overcome barriers to trade and higher production costs she warned many sectors will face.
She added: “We will not accept a race to the bottom on rights. The deal won’t protect jobs and puts hard-won workers’ rights on the line.”
The deal was reached this afternoon after months of talks and frantic last-minute wrangling.
A UK Government source said the deal delivered “everything that the British public was promised during the 2016 referendum”.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon furious as Brexit deal excludes key Scottish export
The deal was not welcomed by SNP figures - Scotland voted by 62% to Remain in the EU.
Upon hearing the news this afternoon, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Before the spin starts, it’s worth remembering that Brexit is happening against Scotland’s will.
"And there is no deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us. It’s time to chart our own future as an independent, European nation.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel