The Government and councils in Scotland are being urged not to implement a controversial new Bill on trade unions which cracks down on strike ballots, picketing and union funds.

The Trade Union Bill is expected to become law early next year, but unions have pledged to fight it industrially and politically.

Gary Smith, the GMB union's acting secretary in Scotland, described the planned legislation as this generation's "poll tax moment".

Under the plans, unions will need to achieve a 50% threshold in strike ballots of those entitled to vote, give 14 days notice of industrial action and face fines if they don't give details of pickets or advance information of social media campaigns.

The GMB called on the Scottish Government and Scottish local councils to pledge not to implement the Bill.

Mr Smith said: "The Scottish Government argues for an open and inclusive Scotland. These rules are in contravention of our fundamental freedoms of speech, of assembly and of association.

"The Scottish Government should make clear to the Scottish Police Service that policing the new rules on picketing plans in trade disputes is not a priority and that resources should not be diverted from fighting crimes to implementing these new rules.

"Scotland has a long history of dissent against unjust laws and attacks on fundamental freedoms. The Trades Union Bill is this generation's poll tax moment."