We must preserve rights and protections

AT the heart of the Queen’s Speech is the Great Repeal Bill legislation, which will give government ministers huge powers to change our rights and protections without parliamentary scrutiny.

The Great Repeal Bill promises to transfer EU rights and protections into British Law. But it will do so by giving government ministers socalled Henry VIII powers, allowing them to make changes to this huge body of law without parliamentary debate.

This could affect us all with rights and protections undermined, notably: 1. Human rights – particularly prohibitions on the torture trade and protections for privacy. 2. The environment –in particular ensuring that environmental protections are effective, and polluters bear the cost of pollution, water safety and air quality. 3. Workers’ rights – in particular the rights of agency workers, protections for working time, and enforcement of the prohibition of discrimination. 4. Consumer protection – particularly in the regulation of dangerous chemicals and food safety. 5. Financial regulation – in particular in the event that Brexit negotiators are unable to secure the concessions required to maintain the City of London’s access to the EU.

Please tell your MP to make sure the Great Repeal Bill can’t be used to rip up important rights and protections. The Global Justice Now website can facilitate this, with a standard letter which can be sent to your MP. Terry Banfield Cwmbran