Poll: British Labour supporters back UK union policy

British trade union demands for new workers’ rights, equal pay and greater legal protection for pensions have been given huge support by Labour party activists, according to a new report today.

A survey of constituency party committee members, commissioned by Amicus, found widespread backing for union policies being adopted by Labour ahead of Britain's next general election.

Four out of five of the 305 activists polled in key battleground areas in the Midlands, North West, North East, Yorkshire and Scotland said the adoption of union policies on pensions, manufacturing jobs, public services and equal pay would be more likely to result in victory at the next election.

The survey, released ahead of Labour’s National Policy Forum this weekend, showed that 92% believed union policies would be more popular with Labour members and activists than those of the party.

More than nine out of 10 said UK workers should enjoy the same employment protection as people in Germany and France and a similar percentage agreed that employers should be compelled to contribute to pensions for all employees.