The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is seeking views on draft Regulations that will outlaw the blacklisting of trade unionists. These are an amended version of regulations that had been subject to consultation in 2003 but not implemented as the government had not received evidence that blacklisting occurred. The new proposals were prompted by the emergence of compelling new evidence that such blacklisting was occurring in parts of the construction industry. This related to a raid by the Data Protection Services on the offices of a private consultant, who has since been accused of selling secret personal data about thousands of workers to more than 40 major British companies, many of which were involved with the construction industry. In response, the Government is seeking views on how to ensure that such blacklisting never occurs again. If you have any strong views on this please don’t hesitate to send them to through to BWF and we will make a representation. The consultation period will end on 18 August 2009.