“Dickensian” anti-trade union laws must be resisted a Glasgow MP has urged.

Westminster is debating the Trade Union Bill today which would impose restrictions on industrial action and make it more difficult for some workers to strike according to unions.

Chris Stephens, Glasgow South SNP MP said the bill was an attempt to prevent workers form organising to protect jobs and conditions.

He said: “’I am calling on MPs to form a progressive alliance to block this Dickensian bill today. This is quite simply a bad bill that is unwanted and unnecessary.”

Mr Stephens said the Scottish Parliament should be given power to decide whether it should apply in Scotland though a Legislative Consent Motion.

Mr Stephens added that even if Scotland could vote to reject it north of the border the SNP would still vote against it at Westminster to show solidarity with workers in the rest of the UK.

He added: “It is designed primarily to strike at the heart of a trade unions ability to organise.

"We strongly oppose it, and our amendments reach out to all parts of the UK, demonstrating our solidarity with working people affected by this bill.

"This bill should meet the principles of consent across the public sector, something which the Westminster Government are refusing to do. The picketing and agency worker proposals are illiberal, and must be removed from the bill.”