Downing Street insists Theresa May's position on workers on boards 'hasn't changed' despite criticism
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Theresa May's stance on putting workers on boards "hasn't changed", Downing Street insisted today despite widespread accusations that she has watered down her plans.
Opposition politicians and trade unions have accused the Prime Minister of a climbdown following the publication of the Government's proposals to shake up corporate governance.
Speaking during last year's Conservative leadership contest, Mrs May said: "If I’m Prime Minister, we’re going to change that system – and we’re going to have not just consumers represented on company boards, but employees as well."
But the report published today by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy gives firms the option of assigning a non-executive director to represent employees, or creating an employee advisory council.
A spokeswoman for Mrs May said: “On workers on boards, on this issue in particular, the PM's position has been pretty consistent and hasn't changed. She wants to improve workers' representation and that's going to be achieved with part of this report, which is about changes to the corporate governance code.
“Her position has been consistent and hasn't changed.”
But TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady accused the Prime Minister of “bottling it” under pressure from big business.
