MPs must vote down the government’s “pernicious” anti-union measures or they will “threaten public safety,” the TUC has said as the Commons prepares to vote on legislation allowing the use of agency workers during strikes.

The union confederation warned that proposed laws will “worsen industrial disputes” and constitute a “brazen attack” on workers’ ability to bargain for higher wages at a time when millions of people are struggling to make ends meet.

It branded the proposals the “desperate last gasp of a government in turmoil” during the dying days of Boris Johnson’s premiership.

The government is rushing through new laws and neglecting its obligations on new legislation, according to the TUC.

There has been no consultation with unions, which the government is obligated to undertake by the Employment Agencies Act 1973, and no new impact assessment.

Instead, ministers are relying on a seven-year-old consultation, dating from a time when the political and economic context was very different, the TUC said.

The union confederation also warned that the plans could be in breach of international law.

General secretary Frances O’Grady said: “MPs must waste no time and vote down this brazen attack on workers, which is the desperate last gasp of a government in turmoil.

“It is not only cynical and ideological but a threat to public safety.

“These pernicious new laws will make it harder for workers to defend their jobs, pay and conditions at a time when millions are struggling to make ends meet.”

Ms O’Grady described the right to strike as a “fundamental British liberty,” adding: “The government wants to undermine this right and deploy agency workers as strike breakers across the economy, including on the railways.

“Using agency workers to try and break strikes would put these workers in an appalling situation, worsen disputes and poison industrial relations.

“And bringing in agency staff who haven’t been fully trained to deliver specific public service roles could endanger the public too.

“Having slammed P&O for replacing experienced workers with agency staff, ministers are now using the same playbook.”

Ms O’Grady said that ministers should help de-escalate industrial disputes but were instead “spoiling for a fight to distract from their many failings.”

The vote is expected to take place later tonight.