The function of the European Committee of Social Rights is to rule on the conformity of Member States of the Council of Europe with the Articles of the European Social Charter which each #state has ratified.
The 1961 European Social Charter was ratified by the United Kingdom on 11th July 1962.
The relevant conclusions of the Committee in respect of the UK are as follows:
The Committee concludes that the situation the United Kingdom is not in conformity with Article 3§1 of the 1961 Charter on the grounds that:
* workers do not have the right to disconnect;
* certain categories of self-employed workers are not covered by occupational health and safety regulations;
* certain categories of domestic workers are not covered by occupational health and safety regulations.
The Committee concludes that the situation in the United Kingdom is not in conformity with Article 3§2 of the 1961 Charter on the ground that certain categories of domestic workers are not subject to supervision in respect of health and safety at work.
The Committee concludes that the situation in the United Kingdom is not in conformity with Article 5 of the 1961 Charter on the grounds that:
* no measures have been taken to encourage or strengthen the positive freedom of association of gig workers;
* the right to organise is not guaranteed to members of the armed forces.
The Committee concludes that the situation in United Kingdom is not in conformity with Article 6§1 of the 1961 Charter on the ground that it has not been established that:
* joint consultations [between the social partners] have been carried out on all matters of mutual interest;
* joint consultations have been held on issues relating to the digital transition.
The Committee concludes that the situation in the United Kingdom is not in conformity with Article 6§2 of the 1961 Charter on the grounds that:
* the promotion of collective bargaining is not sufficient;
* it has not been established that sufficient measures have been taken to promote the right to collective bargaining in respect of workers in the platform and gig economy.
The Committee concludes that the situation in United Kingdom is not in conformity with Article 6§4 of the 1961 Charter even taking into account the possibility of subjecting the right to collective action to restrictions under Article 31, on the grounds that:
* the police are denied the right to strike;
* prison officers are denied the right to strike;
* members of the armed forces are denied the right to strike and it has not been established that are other means by which members of the armed forces can effectively negotiate the terms and conditions of employment, including remuneration.
ECSR Conclusions XXIII-1, published 23rd January 2026. See pp 19, 21 re ban on Prison Officers striking: https://rm.coe.int/conclusions-xxiii-1-2025-united-kingdom-en/48802a4af8