THE TUC has told the Tories and Lib Dems to “get out of the way” and “stop trying to block” stronger rights for millions of workers.

The union body is urging the government to stand firm in the face of “cynical attacks” on the Employment Rights Bill, which is set for parliamentary ping-pong after Conservative and Liberal Democrat peers attempted to weaken key protections in the House of Lords last week.

The TUC said peers voted to keep workers on zero-hours contracts, allow employers six months to sack staff unfairly, attack teaching assistants’ pay, and exempt voluntary roles on heritage railways from child employment restrictions.

The Bill will return to the Commons in September for MPs to consider the Lords’ amendments.

The union body also accused Conservative and Lib Dem peers of defying their own parties’ voters and the wider public.

A recent TUC-commissioned mega poll found overwhelming cross-party support for key elements of the Bill, including banning zero-hours contracts and providing statutory sick pay from day one.

This shows “how out of touch” peers are, the TUC said.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “It’s time for Tory and Lib Dem peers to get out of the way and stop trying to block stronger rights for millions of workers.

“The sight of hereditary peers voting to block stronger workers’ rights belongs in another century. It’s plain wrong.

“These peers are not just out of touch, they are actively defying their own voters — and the public at large.”

Mr Nowak said the government “must stand firm in the face of cynical attacks” and deliver the Bill in full.