VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Environment Protection: Trade Union Officials

Asked by Gideon AmosLiberal DemocratDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 27114

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made for the potential merits of legally recognising and providing green representatives in workplace unions.

Answered by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

The Government recognises the valuable role of trade unions and their workplace representatives.

That is why, through the Employment Rights Act 2025 we have strengthened rights to reasonable paid time off for trade union representatives and trade union equality representatives.

While there is no separate statutory framework for trade union green representatives, where a workplace green representative is also a trade union representative, they may benefit from the new statutory rights relating to trade union representatives.

The Government has no current plans to introduce a separate statutory framework for trade union green representatives.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim