Zero-hours Contracts

Baroness Turner of Camden Excerpts

Thursday 11th June 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, I am happy to write with what data we have through the ONS and, indeed, to explain some of the methodological problems in this.

[Baroness Turner of Camden (Lab)]

My Lords, what happens if an individual is offered a zero-hours contract but turns it down? Does that mean that that individual does not then qualify for benefits that he would otherwise qualify for because he has turned down what in the Government’s view is a reasonable possibility? Is he not allowed to claim benefits if he turns down a zero-hours contract?

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

This is not an area that I am an expert in, but my impression is that the local Jobcentre Plus and so on are actually very helpful on these points. However, I will look into this issue further and write to the noble Baroness.