SOUTH Dorset MP Richard Drax has said that strikers in the public sector should remember “(the government) spent £400billion safeguarding their jobs”.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Drax was asking Grant Shapps, business secretary, about proposed legislation that would ringfence minimum service levels on future strike days.

He said: “Coming back through Heathrow recently, I was speaking to someone who works there and they were praising the Armed Forces during the coverage of the Border Force, and saying what an incredible job they did and how the whole process worked without any problems at all, and what a sad reflection it was on the public service in this particular area that they couldn’t do the same thing.

“Does my right honourable friend agree with me that the other side and the unions, and many who work in the public service, seem to have forgotten that we spent £400 billion safeguarding their jobs, their futures and their careers?”

Business Secretary Grant Shapps replied: “I do want to pay tribute to the army, who did fantastic work.

“I think most people in the public service, who work in the public service, are doing a hugely valuable job. They’re trying to do their best. I think many of them are frustrated by their radical union leaders leading them often up a garden path.”

Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, spoke during the debate to praise the “important legislation” after seeming to suggest unions had rushed through ballot results and urged the business secretary to proceed with the bill in a prompt fashion.

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT transport union, said: “The only reason this draconian legislation is being introduced is because they have lost the argument and want to punish workers for having the temerity to demand decent pay and working conditions.”

Mr Shapps said the plans are in line with laws in other European countries and would “protect the lives and the livelihoods of the British people”.

Details of the minimum service levels which would need to be maintained during strikes have yet to be set out.

Mr Shapps said the Government would consult on what an “adequate level of coverage” would be in fire, ambulance and rail services.