Corporate killing law blow

The union has welcomed a joint report by the House of Commons home affairs and work and pensions committees, demanding changes to the planned law.

Amicus has urged the government to accept the report which suggests that the current draft could actually leave victims of accidents worse off.

The trade union welcomes the report's recommendations, including the need to cover contractors and agency workers, and the inclusion of death from occupational diseases as well as accidents.

General secretary Derek Simpson said: "This report provides even more evidence, if it is needed, that the liability of individuals for companies health and safety is imperative in raising standards."

Corporate manslaughter legislation was promised by the Labour Party before it came to power but it was only published in draft in 2005. Between 1992 and 2005, at least 3452 workers have been killed in industrial accidents in the UK.