Construction union UCATT has launched a new document which details the measures the Government needs to undertake to ensure that blacklisting is entirely eradicated in Britain.

The document called 'Ruined Lives', was commissioned by UCATT from the Institute of Employment Rights and written by Professor Keith Ewing. The document formed UCATT's evidence to the Government's consultation on blacklisting which closed last month.

It sets out the history of blacklisting, why it remained legal and the exact circumstances which led to the discovery and eventual prosecution of Ian Kerr and the Consulting Association.

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The document powerfully argues that the Government's current proposals are too narrow. The new regulations when introduced should specify that it is illegal to blacklist anyone because of "activities associated with trade unions" and that if a blacklist is discovered it should be forfeited and all the people on the list notified that they have been blacklisted.

The report also argues that to use or maintain a blacklist must be a specific criminal offence. If a worker has been blacklisted then they should receive an automatic award for basic compensation. If the blacklisting has resulted in loss than there should be an entitlement for an additional compensatory award.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "The report sets out clearly what needs to be done to ensure that blacklisting can never again take place. While we welcome the Government's commitment to introduce regulations to outlaw blacklisting it is essential that they are fully comprehensive."

(CD/BMcc)