At the start I'll declare my interest as a proud member of Unite, Unison, CWU and GMB trade unions.

Thank you, Jack, for tabling this vital short debate today, and I echo everything that you've said. The position could not be clearer: the Tory UK Government has no intention of standing up for workers, so in their absence we must fight fire and rehire with solidarity and shame. Solidarity with our workers across all sectors facing this abhorrent choice, with our trade union brothers and sisters striking and fighting, and shame, because shame is a powerful motivator when it comes to these big businesses. Just look at how British Airways were shamed into ditching their fire and rehire plans.

So, that's why we need more of us here today to stand up and say, 'Shame on you British Gas, Asda, Sainsbury's via Argos, for threatening your staff with being fired if they don't take worse terms and conditions, and shame on you for treating your staff so poorly when they have worked so hard during this pandemic and boosted your profits and lined your shareholders' pockets. And shame on you, UK Government, for turning your back on working people when you could end fire and rehire, but you choose not to.'