Debbie Abrahams, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, commenting on a report from the European Committee of Social Rights on the UK government’s obligations to meet the European Social Charter said:

“This report lays bare the Government’s appalling failure to protect workers. Almost eight years of Tory austerity has undermined our social security system and devastated the lives of millions people. It is shameful that this should be happening in one of the richest nations in the world.

“This is particularly worrying given the Government’s failure to guarantee workers’ rights and protections or incorporate the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights into UK law as part of the EU Withdrawal Bill.

“Labour will transform our social security system to provide security and dignity for all and strengthen workers’ rights to build an economy that works for the many not the few.”