I can certainly speak on behalf on my colleagues in the Labour group and say we are fundamentally, wholeheartedly and collectively opposed to it and we will work with our partners across the Labour movement in Wales, and the UK, to oppose such attacks on workers' rights.

And we oppose this Bill because the rationale the UK Government has tried to present for the Bill as bringing the UK into line with many other European countries simply does not stack up, as we've heard from the Plaid Cymru benches. The international comparisons overplay similarities between this Bill and the operation of minimum service levels elsewhere. As you've heard, minimum service levels are typically the product of an agreement between employers and trade unions, sometimes with independent arbitration used as a backstop. In contrast to that, this Bill offers a prospect of imposition of minimum service levels through diktat backed up by the threat of workers being sacked if they do not comply. And it's not just us who say that the international comparisons with countries like France, Italy and Spain are false. We heard the General Secretary of the European Public Service Union, which protects 8 million public service workers across Europe, wrote to the Prime Minister, in a publicly available letter, to say: 

'In a debate in the Commons, you claimed that a Government unilaterally opposing minimum services should not be controversial and cite the legal framework in other countries. This statement is not correct and you take the legislation in other countries out of context.

The letter explains why that is the case and goes on to say:

'your government is rushing through a new law that will impose minimum service levels in key sectors, including the possibility that strikers will be sacked if they fail to comply with notices to work. This will be challenged under European and international law to which the UK is party.'

The UK Government has also tried to create a smokescreen that the International Labour Organization is supportive of the Bill. The director general of the ILO himself has confirmed he was not aware of any discussions between the ILO and the UK Government about the legislation. He did, however, confirm that the ILO has been in discussions with trade unions about making a complaint about the Bill. To say that the ILO supports this Bill is simply inaccurate at best. 

Time and time again, the UK Government's claims about this Bill and international support and international comparisons have fallen apart on their first contact with the facts. We do not want this Bill in Wales and we do not need it. I'm pleased that there is a majority opposing this legislation in Wales. It is unnecessary, unjustified and most likely unworkable. We are committed to opposing this pernicious, ideologically driven legislation, and working in partnership to do so. 

In closing, Llywydd, I want to say there's never been a more important time to join a trade union. Trade unions are not only good for workers—they're good for workplaces, and they're good for Wales. Diolch.