Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Employment Law: Devolution

Wednesday 29 November 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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Martyn Day asked about devolving employment law to the Scottish Government.
  • The UK Government stated they have no intention of devolving employment rights to the Scottish Parliament.
  • Oliver Heald questioned the potential regulatory burden of having different employment laws across borders.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Martyn Day SNP
Employment Scotland Local Government
Context

The MP is questioning whether there are plans to devolve employment law from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Government.

Question

If he will have discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of devolving employment law to the Scottish Government.

Answer from Alister Jack

The UK Government have no intention of devolving legislative competence for employment rights to the Scottish Parliament. Employers and employees benefit hugely from a single, simple system where employment rights are the same across Great Britain, whether in Derby or Dundee. We do not see any benefit from changing that arrangement.

Answered
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Q2 Martyn Day SNP
Employment Scotland
Context

The MP is pressing further on the issue of devolution, highlighting support from various organisations and arguing that it would benefit workers.

Question

Devolution of employment law is supported by the Scottish Trades Union Congress, the Trades Union Congress, workers' rights groups, a majority in the Scottish Parliament and the public. It would benefit workers by having their Governments compete to give them better rights and preventing a race to the bottom. What is not to like? Why will the Secretary of State's Government not consider it?

Answer from Alister Jack

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my original answer. We believe it is right to have a simple system that works across the United Kingdom, whether one is in Derby or Dundee.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for reconsideration despite support but the Secretary of State did not address this specifically and repeated his original stance.

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Q3 Oliver Heald Con
Employment Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the potential regulatory burden and loss of a unified tribunal system if employment laws were to be devolved.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that to have different employment laws either side of the border of the two nations would be a mistake, because it would increase the regulatory burden on companies and deprive British companies of our excellent tribunal system?

Answer from Alister Jack

I completely agree with my right hon. and learned Friend, who absolutely makes the right arguments.

Answered
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