By current government proposals, contract workers may be permitted to replace striking employees.

It follows three days of huge rail strikes that have badly affected the travel plans of millions, with Thursday and Saturday due to bring additional cancellations.

It follows three days of significant train strikes, with further cancellations expected on Thursday and Saturday.

Current trade union statutes prohibit employment agencies from providing temporary agency workers to cover for strikes.

According to the government, the legislation will eliminate “burdensome legislative constraints” to permit firms to engage temporary agency workers on short notice to cover key duties during the duration of the strike.

It provided examples of skilled temporary employees filling vacant positions, such as train dispatchers.

The amendments are made through a statutory instrument, are subject to parliamentary approval, and are scheduled to take effect in the coming weeks. They will apply to England, Scotland, and Wales.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Once again, trade unions are holding the nation hostage by paralyzing essential public services and enterprises. The current state cannot be maintained.

“Repealing these restrictions from the 1970s will provide businesses the ability to acquire fully skilled workers quickly while allowing people to continue their lives unimpeded to keep the economy humming.”

Grant Shapps, secretary of transport, stated: “Due to more people being able to work from home, this week’s strikes did not have the expected effect, despite the attempts of militant union leaders to put the country to a standstill. However, a disproportionate number of hardworking families and companies were negatively impacted by the union’s failure to modernize.

“Important reforms, such as this legislation, will ensure that future strikes create even less interruption and allow adaptable, flexible, fully-qualified employees to continue working throughout.”

The government also said it will increase from £250,000 to £1,000,000 the maximum amount of damages a court may award a union for unlawful strike action.