Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade: Industrial Disputes
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will list each industrial dispute live within his Department, including the nature of the dispute and level of industrial action.
Answered by Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
Following the Machinery of Government changes announced in July 2026, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (“BIST”) is working to confirm the associated transfer of functions and staff. At present BIST only has direct sight of industrial disputes concerning the former Department for Business and Trade (“fDBT”), pending the formal transfer of roles into BIST.
Regarding fDBT, Trade Unions and the department engage constructively on departmental issues; including organisational changes, HR policies and pay. There are disagreements but at present there exists only one formal industrial dispute:
Industrial Dispute: Home Office Check-off case, PCS Union – May 2025 - Nature of Dispute: Breach of contract in regard to removal of check off from 01 January 2016 - Level of industrial action: Collective dispute listed in the High Court
This is an active yet stayed case against former BEIS which will transfer over to BIST once a decision on the Home Office case has been issued.
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