Truss risks fresh row with EU over workers’ rights, say legal experts

Unions say the UK is already falling behind the EU on workers’ rights in areas such as the gig economy. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Liz Truss risks igniting another row with the EU which could lead to tariffs on British exports if she tries to dilute workers’ rights too much, legal experts and union leaders have said.

The new prime minister is reportedly considering a review of workers’ rights as part of a wider “bonfire” of 1,500 EU laws she wants to take off the UK’s statute books before the end of 2023.