PROTECTION FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS

That this House believes greater protection should be provided to whistleblowers in the workplace; is alarmed at the Court of Appeal's decision in NHS Manchester v Fecitt & Ors which indicates that employees are no longer protected from harassment of co-workers; believes that this is just one of a number of issues, including the implementation of the Shipman Inquiry's recommendations to remove the good faith test and the use of gagging clauses, which require serious debate; further believes that the changes put forward in the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill will make it more difficult for individuals to rely on the Public Interest Disclosure Act; and calls on the Government to hold a wider consultation on possible reforms to ensure a meaningful strengthening of the protection of whistleblowers.