Cross-party group of MPs call for introduction of maximum working temperature
More than 20 MPs have backed the campaign
A cross-party group of MPs have backed calls for the introduction of a maximum working temperature. More than 20 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion (EDM) making the call as the UK endures record-breaking temperatures.
The EDM acknowledges the role that climate breakdown is playing in increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the UK and describes the major health issues that can arise as a result of extreme heat, including “dizziness, tiredness, asthma, throat infections and, in extreme cases, heat stroke and death”.
The signatories to the EDM state that they are “concerned at the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves being experienced in the UK, as a result of man-made climate change”, before going on to state: “that whereas the law specifies a minimum working temperature, no corresponding maximum figure exists in statute”.
Later, the EDM states that “current recommendations for employers to maintain a reasonable temperature within the workplace are impossible to enforce unless a worker is seriously injured or killed from heat stress”.
The EDM concludes by calling on the government to “back the TUC’s call for a maximum working temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, or 27 degrees Celsius for those doing strenuous work, beyond which employers would have a statutory duty to introduce effective control measures, such as installing ventilation or moving staff away from windows and sources of heat.”
The EDM has had the support of MPs from Labour, Your Party, the DUP and the Greens. Its primary sponsor is the Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey.
At the time of writing, 22 MPs have signed the EDM. They are as follows:
- Rebecca Long-Bailey – Labour
- John McDonnell – Labour
- Ian Lavery – Labour
- Jeremy Corbyn – Your Party
- Mary Kelly Foy – Labour
- Ian Byrne – Labour
- Jon Trickett – Labour
- Kate Osborne – Labour
- Bell Ribeiro-Addy – Labour
- Nadia Whittome – Labour
- Grahame Morris – Labour
- Steve Witherden – Labour
- Richard Burgon – Labour
- Andy McDonald – Labour
- Brian Leishman – Labour
- Jim Shannon – Democratic Unionist Party
- Neil Duncan-Jordan – Labour
- Apsana Begum – Labour
- Siân Berry – Green
- Ellie Chowns – Green
- Hannah Spencer – Green
- Adrian Ramsay – Green
EDMs are rarely debated, but are used as a way for MPs to raise issues, highlight campaigns and illustrate the scale of support in the House of Commons for a particular issue.
Chris Jarvis is head of strategy and development
Image credit: UK Parliament – Creative Commons
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