Sat, 27 Dec 2025

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 Don't rule out EU customs union, TUC boss tells Starmer

Trade unionist Paul Nowak says he wants to see the "closest possible" economic relationship with the EU.

* Paul Nowak, leader of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has called for a close economic and political relationship with the European Union.
* He warned that faith in mainstream politics could "drain away" unless living standards improve and urged the PM not to rule out a customs union with the EU.
* Labour's manifesto rules out joining the EU's single market and customs union, but some senior cabinet ministers have expressed support for closer relations with the EU.
* A customs union would eliminate tariffs and taxes on goods between the UK and the EU, but critics argue it would curtail the UK's ability to strike bespoke global trade deals.
* Nowak stated that 2026 should be the year the government addresses the cost of living crisis, which he believes is partly due to a "bad Brexit deal".
* He praised the Employment Rights Act, which will give workers access to sick pay and paternity leave from the first day on the job, but warned that many of its measures won't be implemented immediately.
* Nowak called for no cap on penalties for big employers who try to prevent unions from organizing in their workplaces.
* A government spokesperson said they knew there was "more to do" to help families with the cost of living and committed to implementing the Employment Rights Act in full.
* Labour is trailing Reform UK in the polls, but Nowak stated that the solution wasn't to "get on the same pitch" on immigration.
  >>