Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fire and Rehire

Thursday 23 September 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Public sector bodies and employers are responsible for managing their workforces, and the Government have stated that using fire and rehire tactics is unacceptable.
  • The UK Government claims to have the best employment rights in the world and has taken steps such as banning exclusivity clauses in zero-hours contracts and introducing the national living wage.
  • The Government will respond to a private Member's Bill addressing fire and rehire as it progresses through Parliament.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Florence Eshalomi Labour (Co-op) Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Employment
Context

The MP is concerned about the use of fire and rehire tactics in both the public sector and public funded bodies.

Question

What steps he is taking to help ensure that the use of fire and rehire tactics in (a) the public sector and (b) public funded bodies is not permitted?

Answer from Michael Ellis

Public sector bodies and employers are responsible for the management of their respective workforces. The Government have made it clear to all employers, including those in the public sector, that the use of threats to fire and rehire people to pressure workers during negotiations is unacceptable.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not provide specific steps being taken or any commitments.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Employment
Context

The MP raises concerns about outsourcing leading to a two-tier workforce with worse pay and conditions, suggesting that companies using fire and rehire tactics should not be awarded public contracts.

Question

I thank the Paymaster General for his response, but given the increasing prevalence of outsourcing throughout the public sector, where we have seen the creation of a two-tier workforce and a race to the bottom on pay and conditions, does he agree that no company that is found to be using fire and rehire tactics against its workers should be awarded public contracts or be allowed to take over public services in future?

Answer from Michael Ellis

I challenge the premise of the hon. Lady's question. The UK has the best employment rights in the world. This Government have banned exclusivity clauses in zero-hours contracts, introduced the national living wage in 2016 and workers' day-one statement of rights in 2020. We think it is unacceptable to pressure workers during negotiations.

Not addressed: The response does not address whether companies using fire and rehire tactics should receive public contracts.

How: Challenging The Premise Of The Question

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Florence Eshalomi Labour (Co-op) Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Employment
Context

During the pandemic, many constituents faced fire and rehire practices by companies like British Airways and British Gas, leading to job insecurity.

Question

I thank the Paymaster General for his response, but during the pandemic I was contacted by many constituents in Vauxhall who were subject to this practice—constituents who had worked for many years for the likes of British Airways and British Gas; constituents whose lives were turned upside-down by the threat that they would lose their jobs. The Paymaster General said that he will put pressure on the organisations involved, but the pressure is not working, so will he give his full support to the private Member's Bill that has its Second Reading on 22 October and would ban fire and rehire once and for all?

Answer from Michael Ellis

I am aware of the private Member's Bill to which the hon. Lady referred. At this stage, I will say that the Government will respond to that Bill as it passes through Parliament. As I say, we have been clear that fire and rehire should not be used in the way the hon. Lady describes or as a negotiating tactic, which is why we have asked ACAS to look carefully at the matter and produce guidance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not commit to supporting the Private Member's Bill.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Angela Rayner Lab Ashton-under-Lyne
Employment
Context

The MP welcomes the Prime Minister's stance on fire and rehire practices but seeks concrete action from the Government.

Question

I have noticed the change in personnel on the Cabinet Office Front Bench and I would like to welcome all the Ministers to their place today. I also welcome the Prime Minister's direction on fire and rehire, which is that he does not accept this bullying practice, but when will the Government take action on this? I accept the Minister's response on ACAS, but this is just not good enough. If the Minister is committed to having good employment practices, what will he do to end this practice of fire and rehire?

Answer from Michael Ellis

We are keeping the private Member's Bill of the hon. Member for Brent North (Barry Gardiner) under review. I think the hon. Lady knows that, when it comes to protecting the rights of workers, this Government have been doing just that.

Not addressed: The response does not provide specific actions to address fire and rehire practices.

How: Changing The Subject To A Review

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email