We are living in an extreme weather event right now in that there has been flooding all over the country. These events are becoming much more normal and routine. What is not normalised are what protections there are for workers. It was very moving to be at a press event organised by Unite last week to hear the parents of Matthew Campbell, an electrician who died in a storm in the North of Ireland. We are seeing the impact on homes but there is also a massive impact on workers. In summary, workers have no rights in law to say no, if their employer presses them to go to work because there is no such thing as climate leave. Workers reported being docked pay, having to take unpaid leave and having to use annual leave. In some cases, according to a Unite survey, a third of people were not able to work from home during the most recent major storm. This is about a demand. The Government needs to give workers rights - not to ask their employers but rights - to be able to protect themselves in extreme weather events. They should have actual leave that exists and not use their own leave or whatever. It is extremely important that this is built upon.

Sentiment score: -0.07

The Minister of State summed it up. It is a matter for agreement between employers and employees so it is up to individual employers. He also mentioned guidelines. Guidelines are not legislative protection. We also have a large number of migrant workers. We have unorganised workers or non-unionised workers who do not have the power to say "No" to their employers. I will finish by highlighting what has been done in Spain to show the Minister of State how climate leave might work. Climate leave legislation was passed in Valencia. It provides for four days paid leave if extreme weather makes it impossible to travel to work, with the possibility of this being extended. Four days paid leave are also available if workers need to address needs at their homes as a result of their children not being able to go to school or damage to their home and property. After four days, businesses can declare force majeure and get Government assistance. There is an example of it being done.

Sentiment score: -0.01