Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Employment Bill

Thursday 18 May 2023 · 3 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rachael Maskell questioned the government on worker protections against bullying and harassment, citing a lack of legal definition and clear restitution path.
  • The Minister highlighted the record low unemployment rate in York at 1.4%, below the national average, and mentioned various commitments under the Good Work Plan.
  • Justin Madders inquired about the Government's plans for an employment Bill, particularly concerning protections for gig economy workers, to which the Minister emphasized the mandatory national living wage and mechanisms for challenging misclassification.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Employment
Context

Stop Hurt at Work reports that 27% of employees experience bullying or harassment, lacking a legal definition and clear restitution path. The government has promised employment legislation since 2017 but no Bill has been introduced in the current Parliament despite Matthew Taylor's “Good work” report recommendations.

Question

According to Stop Hurt at Work, 27% of employees experience bullying or harassment at work with no legal definition and clear restitution path. Despite promises since 2017 and Matthew Taylor's 'Good work' report, no employment Bill has been introduced in this Parliament to protect workers from such issues.

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

The unemployment rate in York is at a record low of 1.4%, below the national average. Since the Good Work Plan was published, the Government have taken forward various commitments including the right to receive a statement of rights on day one and the right to request a more predictable working pattern.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specifics of expanding employment rights for workplace bullying were not addressed. The answer focused on low unemployment and previous Government initiatives without commitment to new legislation or addressing bullying specifically.

How: Focusing On Low Unemployment, Highlighting Past Initiatives

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Q2 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Employment
Context

Ministers have repeatedly promised an employment Bill since 2017, but it has not been delivered. Companies in the gig economy frequently strip back workers' rights and protections.

Question

The government has promised an employment Bill more than 20 times without delivering. With companies in the gig economy stripping back workers' rights weekly, will the Minister clarify the Government's plans? If they do not intend to introduce protections for gig economy workers, will he apologise?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

Paying the national living wage is mandatory with significant fines, public naming, and criminal prosecution for non-compliance. The national living wage applies to all employees and limb (b) workers, and individuals can challenge misclassification through an employment tribunal.

Not addressed: The question about the employment Bill and gig economy protections was not addressed; instead, the answer focused on the national living wage compliance issues.

How: Discussing National Living Wage Compliance

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Q3 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Employment
Context

The government has promised an employment Bill more than 20 times, but it has not been delivered. Companies in the gig economy strip back workers' rights and protections.

Question

Ministers have promised an employment Bill over 20 times without delivering; companies in the gig economy frequently strip back workers' rights and protections. Will the Minister clarify the Government's plans? If they are not going to introduce any protections for gig economy workers, will he now apologise?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

Paying the national living wage is mandatory with significant fines, public naming, and criminal prosecution for non-compliance. The national living wage applies to all employees and limb (b) workers; individuals can challenge misclassification through an employment tribunal.

Not addressed: The question about the employment Bill and gig economy protections was not addressed; instead, the answer focused on the national living wage compliance issues.

How: Discussing National Living Wage Compliance

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