Tower Hamlets yesterday became the first council in Britain to issue an anti-blacklisting pledge and vow to cut off public cash to firms who use the practice.

Mayor Luftah Rahman's pledge comes in response to the blacklisting of over 3,000 construction workers for trade union activity.

A secret list used by over 40 of Britain's best-known construction firms was uncovered in a raid on the clandestine Consulting Association's offices in 2009.