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Lifting the Lockdown: Workplace Safety
06 May 2020
Lead MP
Andy McDonald
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyEmploymentBusiness & TradeLocal Government
Other Contributors: 26
At a Glance
Andy McDonald raised concerns about lifting the lockdown: workplace safety in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Asked the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to make a statement on guidelines for workplace safety after the lifting of lockdown. Criticised the government's consultation process as inadequate, providing unions and businesses with only 12 hours to respond. Highlighted that measures such as hand washing and social distancing should be mandatory under law and not at the discretion of employers. Urged the government to bring forward guidelines requiring specific covid-19 risk assessments for most businesses.
Paul Scully
Con
Twickenham
Stated that there are five tests before adjusting current measures and mentioned ongoing consultations with stakeholders including nine unions and over 400 businesses. Grateful for the constructive feedback from stakeholders.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Highlighted inadequacies in the government's proposals, emphasising workers' legal right to a safe workplace. Criticised lack of recommendations on personal protective equipment and exclusion of workers from decision-making processes.
Andrea Leadsom
Con
South Northamptonshire
Asked if the review of corporate governance and audit will put employee safety and financial security at the heart of all businesses’ obligations to their stakeholders.
Paul Scully
Con
Twickenham
Confirmed commitment to acting on recommendations from independent reviews of various aspects of audit, including creating a tougher, stronger regulator through legislation.
Drew Hendry
SNP
Inverness N & Highland East
Suggested following the Scottish Government’s approach in ensuring guidance is consistent with fair work principles and developed in partnership with trade unions.
Paul Scully
Con
Twickenham
Acknowledged need for consistency across UK but also highlighted ongoing collaboration with devolved Administrations. Emphasised the importance of learning from businesses that have remained open.
Lucy Allan
Con
Telford
Asked the Minister to ensure guidance focuses on general principles such as social distancing and hygiene without being overly prescriptive, so as many businesses can reopen safely as possible.
Paul Scully
Con
Twickenham
Confirmed commitment to ensuring guidelines give confidence in every type of workplace across the UK, learning from companies already operating and following guidance.
Sarah Olney
Lib Dem
Richmond Park
Asked for reassurance on liability concerns businesses face if staff fall sick despite best efforts to ensure safety at work.
Paul Scully
Con
Twickenham
Emphasised that employees have the right and opportunity to approach the Health and Safety Executive or local authorities to ensure existing legislation and guidance are being followed.
Andrew Selous
Con
Carole Park
Asked for support for small businesses, particularly those paying themselves through dividends, to survive the pandemic.
Paul Scully
Con
Twickenham
Acknowledged the importance of supporting livelihoods and jobs, and confirmed willingness to work with Treasury on economic support for businesses.
Ian Paisley Jnr
DUP
North Antrim
Asked about guidelines for necessary workers and passengers travelling by air from Northern Ireland to London, and assistance for airlines operating such flights.
Paul Scully
Con
Twickenham
Confirmed part of the process will look at transport issues, including opening schools, when health guidance permits.
Jane Stevenson
Con
Corby
Asked for special advice to employers on extra measures to protect vulnerable people who share their home with a medically vulnerable person.
Maria Eagle
Lab
Liverpool Garston
Eagle questions whether non-binding guidance is sufficient to ensure safe working practices. She argues that employees must be protected and asks if workplaces should continue operating without proper safety measures.
Sharon Hodgson
Lab
Washington and Gateshead South
Hodgson suggests a public information campaign is necessary to inform both employers and employees of their respective duties and rights before easing lockdown restrictions.
Thewliss expresses concern over the lack of legal protection for workers. She references TUC's position and seeks assurance that the Government will work with them to ensure worker safety is prioritised.
Peter Kyle
Lab
Hove and Portslade
Kyle inquires about measures to prevent PPE prices from being distorted as businesses prepare for reopening. He worries about supplies remaining constrained and fair pricing.
Russell seeks assurances that construction sites will receive specific safety guidelines, especially given the variation among different types of construction projects.
Dan Jarvis
Lab
Barnsley North
Jarvis highlights a decline in workplace inspections and prosecutions over the past decade. He requests guarantees for local government and HSE resources to ensure safe working practices are enforced.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Khan raises doubts about non-binding guidance and its effectiveness in making people feel safe returning to work. He questions the adequacy of enforcement mechanisms.
Laura Trott
Con
Sevenoaks
Trott asks for assurances that existing essential workers will not face disruptions due to other sectors resuming operations, particularly in regards to PPE and transport needs.
Paul Scully
Con
Assures that the government will consider various scenarios as people return to work, acknowledging the current situation's difference from a fully open economy and emphasising working with business representative organisations. Additionally, he thanks those who have kept the economy running during the outbreak and ensures employers are aware of their responsibilities in keeping workers safe.
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Chorley
Attempts to reconnect Mike Wood from Dudley for a contribution.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Asks the Minister to assure that employers are aware of their responsibilities in keeping workers safe, especially those who have been working throughout the outbreak.
Government Response
Provided responses and clarifications regarding the guidelines, consultations, liability concerns for businesses, support for small businesses, transport issues, and advice to employers on protecting vulnerable people. The Minister reiterates the Government's commitment to supporting businesses during these changes. He emphasises ongoing work with Public Health England, HSE, and trade unions to prepare guidelines for different workplaces across the UK. The minister also mentions that employees can approach HSE or local authorities if they feel their workplace is unsafe. Thanks Mike Wood for his question and expresses gratitude towards key workers. Emphasises the need to ensure employees can return to work with confidence in a safe environment, stressing the importance of collaboration between businesses, unions, and organisations.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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