Experts report into impact devolution has had on UK workers

The report, Devolution and Employment Standards, looks at devolution in the UK and its implications for employment standards .

This study reviewed the different models that devolved authorities have adopted in promoting good employment standards, such as the employment charters and the Real Living Wage.

They found that while there has been some success in some areas, encouraging sick pay for example, compliance with employment charters is voluntary and devolved authorities were sometimes reluctant to place requirements or additional burdens on employers. However, there was less focus on making sure devolution responds to trade union priorities.

An example of this priority given to employers is the East Midlands combined devolution deal, which proposed a role for the private sector in the eventual governance boards but didn’t offer the same role for the trade unions.

The report set out 11 key recommendations that, if implemented, would ensure workers get better deal from devolution.

Professor Sian Moore said:

‘Devolved initiatives acknowledge the importance of worker engagement and voice and legitimacy of trade unions, but this is generally not defined as union recognition and collective bargaining, which is the best model of ensuring good employment standards beyond minimum pay’.