Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Deferred
Mandate government presentation of notices and drafts to committees for scrutiny of retained EU law.
Recommendation
To facilitate this scrutiny the Bill should ensure that the Government must present to the committee a notice of any provision which it intends should expire, together with a memorandum of its reasons and an impact assessment in time to allow consideration before sunset. Where the Government intends to incorporate a provision into UK domestic law under the affirmative procedure it should present a draft of the proposed instrument to the committee, together with a memorandum of its reasons for any decision to adapt or amend the regulations and/or for any decision by the Government not to preserve any element of them. In each case that committee should: • provide the Government with an opportunity to give such further explanations of its proposal as the committee may require, except where the committee does not consider it reasonably practicable to do so within the statutory timeframe; • report on the notice or draft instrument and accompanying papers, drawing to the attention of the House any observations or concerns arising from its consideration of such documents; and • have the power to recommend any notice or draft instrument for debate on the floor of the House: if rejecting this recommendation, the Government should be required to make a statement explaining its reasons. The Government must ensure that the flow of notices and proposed instruments to any relevant committee is controlled and consistent, so that the committee has a reasonable opportunity for effective examination of each proposal within the statutory timeframe. (Paragraph 162) 70 Post-pandemic economic growth: UK labour markets The impact of an ageing population on the labour market
Government Response Summary
The government's response details DWP projects on updating labour market evidence, moving Jobcentre services online, and initiatives for older workers and menopause employment, but entirely fails to address the committee's specific recommendations regarding the scrutiny process and reporting requirements for the Retained EU Law Bill.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Department for Work and Pensions have established a project to update our labour market evidence base to better understand the impact of changes to the way Jobcentre services are delivered. DWP are actively looking at how to move more services online to deliver the ambition of more integration, where customers receive optimised services based on their individual need. This work looks at alternative delivery methods for the conditionality regime, including testing alternative channels (e.g. digital, telephone and video), frequency, duration of meetings and options for claimant segmentation. The Government already has an extensive offer to help workers aged 50 and over to stay in, progress, and return to work. DWP’s 50PLUS Choices offer includes: • Intensive tailored support for eligible UC job seekers during the first 9 months of their claim. This gives Work Coaches more time to spend with older job seekers who have recently become unemployed and to tackle any barriers or difficulties in finding work. Alongside this, Work Coaches can offer all claimants additional opportunities of support through Restart, Sector-Based Work Academy Programme placements (SWAPS), the Flexible Support Fund, Mentoring Circles, and 50+Job Fairs; • A network of 37 full-time 50PLUS Champions in every Jobcentre Plus District across Great Britain. The Champions collaborate with Work Coaches, employers, and stakeholders to raise awareness of the importance of supporting older jobseekers and any barriers that they may have. They also engage with employers and stakeholders to raise awareness of the barriers which older people may face in accessing work; • Midlife MOTs to support people in their 40s and 50s who are both in and out of work, to review and take stock of their finances, skills and health; 24 Post-pandemic economic growth: UK labour markets: Government Response • Announced at Budget 2023, Returnerships are a targeted support offer for adults over the age of 50 who are returning to work or seeking a career change, by bringing together Apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps and Sector Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs). Jobcentre Plus will raise awareness of these pathways via our Work Coach, employer adviser and 50+ champion communities, enabling delivery of clear routes back into work and encouraging employers to hire older workers. • We recognise the key role that employers have in helping older people to stay in and return to work, and in embracing attitudes and policies conducive to this support. DWP regularly monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of our provision, including Jobcentres, to ensure that it is delivering according to our priority outcomes; • The Government appointed Business Champion for Older Workers—Andy Briggs, CEO of the Phoenix Group—to spearhead work to promote the benefits of older workers and multigenerational workforces to employers across England, influencing employers both strategically and in terms of practical advice; and • Alongside this Helen Tomlinson has been appointed as the first ever Menopause Employment Champion and will drive awareness of issues surrounding menopause and work while promoting the benefits for businesses and the economy when women are supported to stay in work and progress. In addition to this, the Government-supported Private Members Bills noted throughout the Report will contribute to supporting, retaining and re-integrating many over 50s in the workforce.