LEADERS of Labour-affiliated trade unions have appealed to the government to stand firm on workers’ rights and deliver on the promises contained in the party’s general election manifesto.

Figures show that businesses have been slashing jobs at the fastest rate in more than four years.

An open letter, signed by the leaders of Aslef, Community, the Communication Workers Union, the Fire Brigades Union, GMB, the Musicians Union, National Union of Mineworkers, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, Unison and Unite, notes that, following years of austerity and falling living standards, the country had voted for change.

This must be a turning point, the letter argues, saying: “Labour was elected because working people desperately need their living standards to improve.

“To do that, the government must stand firm on workers’ rights.

“The New Deal for Working People — Labour’s plan to make work pay — will make work better and more secure and raise wages and improve working conditions.

“The government knows this is the right thing to do for workers and for the economy.”

The letter highlights obstacles facing the new Employment Rights Bill but insisted that measures to ensure unions can increase collective bargaining coverages are important to bring workers and employers around the table.

“Better employment standards, improved worker wellbeing and a secure labour market are good for employees, good for employers and good for the economy,” it says.

While every government “talks about growing the economy,” the letter says that Labour must ensure that the economy operates “in the best interests of working people.”

“Last summer, the people of this country voted for change they can see and feel — and put their trust in Labour to make it happen,” the letter reads.

“The stakes are high and voters’ expectations are higher still.

“No government is perfect and this one hasn’t got everything right, but now is the time to double down on delivering the change people voted for: fair economic growth built on good, secure jobs and decent wages.”

Meanwhile, data from S&P Global showed today that a decline in business staffing numbers in February was the sharpest since November 2020.

Job-cutting was largely in response to higher payroll costs, with pressure to increase wages driving up business expenses, coupled with weak demand, according to the figures.

Labour was approached for comment.