SEVENTY-SIX civil society organisations have urged Justice Secretary David Lammy to act on a “long-overdue” commitment to protect basic human rights in British law.

Today marks the 50th anniversary since Britain ratified a landmark treaty recognising rights to housing, food, health, education, social security and decent work.

Unions, anti-poverty groups and Amnesty International warned Mr Lammy in an open letter that “delay is no longer acceptable” in making the rights legally enforceable, arguing Labour should adopt a “rights-based approach” to fighting far-right populism.

Their letter said that incorporating the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) into domestic law would help millions afford the basics while offering “a different way forward” to Reform UK’s scapegoating of minorities.

“At a time of rising inequality and growing insecurity, when communities are too often divided and scapegoated, a rights based approach offers a different way forward,” it states.

“Incorporating economic, social and cultural rights into law will support efforts to bring people together around common needs and shared solutions, strengthen trust in the systems we all rely on, and counter narratives that pit people against one another.

“Failure to act only leaves more space for division to grow.”

The signatories urged the government to commit to “a clear and time bound process to incorporate economic, social and cultural rights into UK law and policy — so that the foundations of a good life are something everyone can rely on.”

Jess McQuail, director of Just Fair, which co-ordinated the letter, said: “Millions of people are going without the essentials, not by accident, but because these rights are not properly protected in our laws.”

Last year, the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights issued more than 90 recommendations as it published its most detailed assessment of Britain’s record on these rights. 

It raised concerns that the minimum wage has not kept up with the cost of living and called on the government to review and repeal any laws that discriminate against migrant groups.

The committee also called for targeted awareness-raising campaigns and affirmative action to prevent and combat discrimination, racism, stereotypes and inequalities faced by minority groups.

The Ministry of Justice was contacted for comment.