A UNION representing thousands of “gig economy” workers hailed a “groundbreaking” court victory today over health-and-safety protection and access to personal protective equipment (PPE).

In a judgment delivered in the High Court in London today, Mr Justice Chamberlain ruled that Britain had failed to properly implement an EU directive on PPE in relation to self-employed workers who provide a service as part of a business.

He also found that Britain has failed to properly implement part of another EU directive designed to “encourage improvements in the health and safety of workers at work.”