NHS Industrial Action

Lord Spellar Excerpts

Tuesday 2nd December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

The reform plan for change has been very clear from the outset of this Government. There has been a clear recognition that things need to change, which has driven the efforts to do everything possible to improve conditions both for the workforce and for those in receipt of care. It has not been good enough; we have a huge job to do to improve the NHS, to make it fit for purpose and to continue to deliver excellent care for people up and down the country.

[Lord Spellar (Lab)]

My Lords, the fundamental issue here is that many previously professional organisations now seem intent on acting not as trade unions but as parodies of the trade unions of the 1950s. Underlying that are the appallingly low turnouts in the election for executives; they are normally in single figures. What are the Ministers in this department, and others, doing to try to win the battle for hearts and minds, to increase turnout to get more representative leadership?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I agree that it is essential that we move forward to modernise industrial relations, which is exactly what this Government are doing. We know that strong trade unions are essential for tackling insecurity, inequality, discrimination, enforcement and low pay, but we have to move to a situation where there is more communication, negotiation and space for collaboration in order to deliver our objectives and take people with us.