Open consultation

Make Work Pay: draft code of practice on trade union right of access

From:
Department for Business and Trade, Kate Dearden MP and The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP
Published
8 April 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Summary

We're seeking views on a draft code of practice on the new legal framework for trade unions’ access to workplaces.

This consultation closes at

Consultation description

The government is introducing a new statutory code of practice to support the new legal framework for trade unions and employers when negotiating trade unions’ access into workplaces.

This new code will be the main source of practical guidance on the new statutory access framework. It will include:

  • how access requests should be made
  • how access agreements should be negotiated and implemented across different types of workplaces
  • best practice examples to support effective engagement

This consultation invites views from all interested parties to ensure the new code of practice is clear, practical and balanced.

Documents

Consultation on draft code of practice on trade unions’ right of access into workplaces

PDF, 649 KB, 30 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Draft code of practice: right of trade unions to access workplaces

PDF, 583 KB, 32 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Ways to respond

Respond online

or

Email to:

tradeunionpolicy@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Write to:

Trade Union Policy, Employment Rights Directorate
Department for Business and Trade
Old Admiralty Building
Admiralty Place
London
SW1A 2DY

Updates to this page

Published 8 April 2026

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