Unions are already 'bombarding' firms with demands for workplace access before Rayner's new laws even take effect

Several unions are sending businesses voluntary access requests even though the rules only start on October 30, warns Chris Coombes of employment law firm Littler. Angela Rayner's Employment Rights Act will let shop stewards into offices and factories from next Friday. Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith says 'Lefty activists' are 'emboldened'. The Government's own estimate puts the cost to business at up to £5 billion a year.

Just 2 per cent of employers are fully prepared for the union access rules, a poll found.

Union barons pressed Chancellor John Healey at a Downing Street summit ahead of next week's Budget.