Employment minister Chris Grayling called for responses to his “Red Tape Challenge” earlier this week asking contractors to suggest unnecessary safety laws which could be scrapped.

But the call was followed just hours later by confirmation from the Health and Safety Executive of a rise in annual construction deaths to 50 from 41.

The timing prompted a furious response from acting Ucatt general secretary George Guy.

He said: “The Government’s constant attacks on safety laws are sickening.

“The simple fact is that in dangerous industries like construction, there aren’t too many regulations.

“There isn’t too high a level of enforcement. There simply isn’t enough. Every single day workers are facing unnecessary dangers as basic safety laws are ignored.”

HSE chiefs are publicly backing the drive for fewer laws as the Government tries to free UK business from the shackles of red tape.

Chief executive Geoffrey Podger said: “We want to hear from all those with an interest with the aim of simplifying health and safety and making it more effective and proportionate for the benefit of business and the workforce of Britain.”