HEXHAM MP Guy Opperman was among the MPs who voted in favour of a controversial bill restricting the right to strike.

In Parliament this week, MPs voted 309 to 249, a majority of 60, to give the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill a second reading, meaning it has moved a step closer to becoming law.

The Bill would require minimum levels of service from ambulance staff, firefighters and railway workers during industrial action, and allow bosses to legally fire employees who ignore a "work notice" ordering them to work during industrial action.

Details of the minimum service levels which will need to be maintained during strikes have yet to be set out, and the Government says it will consult on this.

Unions and opposition MPs have condemned the proposals as unworkable.

Asked why he supports the bill, Mr Opperman, who is also minister for employment, said: "The first job of any government is to keep the public safe – whilst I will always support the right to strike, the Government is duty-bound to protect lives and livelihoods.

"This legislation will bring us in line with countries like France, Italy, and Spain, who already have statutory minimum service levels."

Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage, was the only Conservative MP to rebel and vote against the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill at second reading.