Industrial action could be banned during major sporting events such as the Olympics, World Cup and Euros if a key amendment is passed in Westminster this morning.
The shadow sport minister, Conservative Louie French, will table an amendment to the Sporting Events Bill this morning that he hopes will stop “reckless union leaders who want to ruin fans’ fun and torpedo the economic boon from hosting competitions like the Euros”.
The MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup says the amendment “will prevent Britain from being embarrassed” when it hosts major events.
Rail operators targeted the beginning of the 2022 Commonwealth Games with strike action, while industrial action impacted the 2023 FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City as well as the Epsom Derby on the same weekend.
Ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the capital’s bus network ground to a halt after drivers demanded, and got, a £580 bonus to offset an increase in workload.
Ban strike action
French added: “Britain is a great place to host global sporting events, but we risk allowing militant trade unions to hold taxpayers to ransom unless strikes are banned during major competitions.
“Hosting the Olympics, World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and Euros can be transformative for cities and enormous fun. There’s no excuse for letting trade unions spoil the occasion.”
The Sporting Events Bill – which is today going through its committee stage – was introduced by the Labour government and would replace bespoke legislation needed to host events such as the Olympics or a Fifa World Cup with a more streamlined, generic process that can be applied across a multitude of occasions.
It comes as the UK prepares to host the 2028 European Championships, alongside Ireland. The Home Nations are also expected to be successful in their bid to stage the 2035 Fifa Women’s World Cup, while the Prime Minister Andy Burnham and DCMS secretary of state Lisa Nandy have previously expressed an interest in the UK going for an Olympic bid – predominantly in the north of the country – as well as a Fifa Men’s World Cup, which England last hosted when they won the competition in 1966.
Britain is at risk of falling behind other nations who are beginning to prioritise the hosting of major sporting events. India is expected to become a major player in the sector while the likes of Qatar and China remain interested in various bidding processes.
Elsewhere the African continent is looking for a greater share of tournaments, with Olympic and World Cup bids touted for the future.
It is hoped any incoming legislation could streamline the UK’s ability to stage bigger events more often.