# The hidden new plans ‘that would make firms kowtow to the unions’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-hidden-new-plans-that-would-make-firms-kowtow-to-the-unions/
- Published: 2026-08-09T22:06:36+00:00
- Updated: 2026-08-24T13:32:27+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16040365/hidden-plans-firms-kowtow-unions.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Labour procurement rules now reward firms for giving unions staff access
- "Social value" scoring doubles to 20% for contracts over £5million
- Critics say it raises costs; GMB union has welcomed the changes

## Summary

Labour has been accused of covertly rewriting government procurement rules to favour trade unions, after small print in a Cabinet Office document revealed that companies bidding for public contracts will gain extra scoring points for granting union representatives access to staff. The changes update the "social value" model used since 2012 to prevent contracts going to the lowest bidder, and critics argue they will drive up business costs and add red tape, coming shortly after the Employment Rights Act already expanded unions' rights to access workplaces.

Under the revised rules, "social value" criteria - including offering flexible working, pay above the minimum wage and "progressive remuneration policies" - will count for 20% of a firm's score on contracts worth £5million or more, doubling the previous 10% weighting, while remaining at 10% for contracts between £1million and £5million and not applying below £1million. Shadow minister Alex Burghart condemned the move as a "trade union checklist", while the GMB union welcomed it. Think tank analyst Joanna Marchong criticised the lack of transparency and warned the changes affect decisions over roughly £90billion of taxpayer spending, and a Cabinet Office spokesman said the reforms would cut red tape and support British jobs.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.