Health, Safety and Environment

Government to Block Lighter Evenings Bill

21 July 2006

Employment Minister Gerry Sutcliffe MP has confirmed to the Union that the Government will back the Union’s stance by strongly opposing the Lighter Evenings (Experiment) Bill and prevent its passage, should the bill reach the floor of Commons.

Sutcliffe thanked the Union’s National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce for providing useful evidence on the sort of difficulties that a change to the way Britain’s clocks are set would cause to Postal Delivery Workers and Telecommunications Engineers.

Backed by CWU supported MPs, Dave Joyce put the Union’s opposition case to Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Alan Johnson MP, the Union’s former General Secretary and a former Postman himself, along with the Government’s spokesperson in the Lords, Lord Sainsbury.

Kate Hoey MP said "I’m very pleased that Dave took the matter up with the Minister and made such a strong case. I have spoken against similar proposals for years and will be happy to give the Union whatever help I can".