Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Deferred
Paragraph: 141
Government requested to update Committee on specific past labour practice commitments
Conclusion
We ask the Government to update the Committee on the status of each of the commitments made by the then Secretary for Transport, Rt Hon. Grant Shapps MP: • HMRC to dedicate significant resource to check that all UK ferry operators are compliant with the national minimum wage; • Maritime and Coastguard Agency to review its enforcement policies; and • Action to prevent employers who have not made reasonable efforts to reach agreement through consultation, from using fire and rehire tactics.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government states commitment to workers’ rights but cites parliamentary time limits for substantial changes like a Single Enforcement Body. It provides general figures on investment and staffing for existing labour market enforcement bodies but does not specifically update on the three commitments from the former Secretary for Transport as requested.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
141
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
The Government continues to take action to deter companies from malpractice. This includes taking action to address the practice of dismissal and re-engagement, also known as ‘fire and rehire’. We published a draft statutory code of practice for consultation in January and are currently analysing responses. The Code sets out employers’ responsibilities when seeking to change contractual terms and conditions of employment and seeks to ensure dismissal and re-engagement is only 12 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nine-point-plan-for-seafarers-our-commitments-to-protect- seafarers/nine-point-plan-for-seafarers-our-commitments-to-protect-seafarers 18 Post-pandemic economic growth: UK labour markets: Government Response used as a last resort. Once in force, an Employment Tribunal will be able to increase an employee’s compensation in certain circumstances by up to 25% if an employer has unreasonably failed to comply with the Code.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗