Unions have urged Scottish public bodies to break the law if Westminster implements proposals to limit the amount of time workers can spend on union duties and restrict the payment of dues by direct debit.

The proposals to limit "facility time" and "check-off" payments are "preposterous", according to Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) general secretary Grahame Smith.

He has urged the Scottish Government and public bodies to refuse to implement the proposals in the Trade Union Bill if they become law.

The UK Government describes facility time - paid time off for reps to conduct union duties - as "taxpayer-funded subsidies" to trade unions and has pledged to introduce greater scrutiny and controls.

Mr Smith said: "It is unacceptable for UK Government minsters to threaten public-sector employers, including the Scottish Government and Scottish councils and health boards, with sanctions, possibly criminal sanctions, if they continue to offer check-off facilities to union members or an amount of facility time to union reps that goes beyond what they decree."

Fair Work Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: "I have written to UK ministers seeking information and a discussion about the provisions of the Trade Union Bill and how we can protect Scotland's distinct approach to industrial relations.

"While we have not yet seen any draft clauses in relation to check-off, we will continue to put forward the view that it should be the prerogative of Scottish ministers to decide on check-off and facility time in Scotland."