UK construction union Unite is to meet with senior Laing O'Rourke representatives next week to discuss employment practices on the troubled Royal Liverpool Hospital project.

The project stalled in January 2018 following the collapse of PFI contractor Carillion, with Laing O'Rourke and Mace later selected to complete the build.

Unite is urging the contractors to ensure first class employment rights, in order to avoid further problems and delays on the project.

This comes after a new report revealed that further problems have been identified, including with the lighting, demolition and asbestos removal. It also warns that the expected final cost of the project is likely to rise further.

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Unite regional officer Colin Carr said: "This latest report is more bad news for the patients who rely on the Royal and the staff who work there. This report feels like it is preparing everyone for more bad news, which is likely to lead to further delays and increasing costs.

"The entire history of this project is one of mismanagement and failure. It is essential that these mistakes are not repeated in finally completing the project.

"That is why it is essential that unions are given proper access to the workforce and other measures are implemented and policed to prevent exploitation of construction workers.

"If the workforce is not properly treated then it is almost inevitable that delays in completing this hospital which is desperately needed in Liverpool will further escalate."

(CM/MH)