TUC: Curbs will have 'profound effect' on civil liberties

The Conservative Party has said it will make it harder to call strikes in certain "core" public services if it wins the general election.

Under the plans, a strike affecting health, transport, fire services or schools would need the backing of 40% of eligible union members.

Currently, a strike is valid if backed by a simple majority of those balloted.

Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, said the proposals would have "profound implications" for civil liberties, and that the plans were really about "job losses and privatisation".