Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to take steps to prevent UK consumers from purchasing goods produced by forced labour; and what assessment they have made of (1) the decision by the government of the United States to add aluminium to its list of priority sectors for the enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act, and (2) European Commission plans to publish an online database of regions and sectors where forced labour is a risk.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is committed to working with international partners and businesses to ensure global supply chains are free from human and labour rights abuses. No UK company should have forced labour in its supply chains.
This Government is reviewing the details of the EU Forced Labour Regulation and US Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act and will continue to engage with our European and US partners to understand the impact on UK businesses as we consider how we best tackle forced labour in supply chains.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Resolution Foundation report Firm foundations: Understanding why employers use flexible contracts, published on 25 April; and what steps they will take to improve situations for zero-hours contract workers.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
Flexible contracts are an important part of the UK’s labour market, for both employers with fluctuations in demand, and for individuals who need to balance work around other commitments such as childcare and study.
2022 research from the CIPD found that 62% of zero hours contract workers are satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs, only a slightly lower fraction than the 66% for other employees.
The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 will give workers – including those on zero hours contracts - the right to make a request to their employer for a more predictable working pattern.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to make an assessment of the impact of the Tesco-Booker merger on rural small businesses, such as post offices and village stores.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
Investigations into mergers and anti-competitive practices are the responsibility of the Competition and Markets Authority, the UK’s independent competition regulator.
I note that the CMA conducted an in-depth investigation into Tesco’s acquisition of Booker in 2017 and concluded that it did not raise competition concerns.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Tesco-Booker merger on independent shopkeepers.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
Investigations into mergers and anti-competitive practices are the responsibility of the Competition and Markets Authority, the UK’s independent competition regulator.
I note that the CMA conducted an in-depth investigation into Tesco’s acquisition of Booker in 2017 and concluded that it did not raise competition concerns.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the changes recently introduced by Booker on independent retailers.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
Investigations into mergers and anti-competitive practices are the responsibility of the Competition and Markets Authority, the UK’s independent competition regulator.
I note that the CMA conducted an in-depth investigation into Tesco’s acquisition of Booker in 2017 and concluded that it did not raise competition concerns.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent Human Rights Watch research that suggests several major carmakers could be complicit in abuse of China’s Uyghur Muslims.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston
Modern slavery is a barbaric crime which we are determined to stamp out. In 2022, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights published its assessment of the human rights situation in Xinjiang, which found that China had carried out "serious human rights violations" against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities.
The Government's overseas business risk guidance sets out the risks of operating in Xinjiang and urges UK companies to conduct appropriate due diligence and consider their corporate responsibilities when making business decisions. The Minister for Industry and Economic Security has requested meetings with named manufacturers in the Human Rights Watch report to discuss this issue in more detail.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to encourage employers to pay their employees a real living wage in light of the finding in the report, UK Poverty 2023, published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on 26 January, that 11 per cent of all destitute respondents are in paid work.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston
The Government has accepted the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission to increase the National Living Wage to £11.44 an hour for workers aged 21 and over in April 2024 - meeting the manifesto target of two thirds of median earnings and ending low hourly pay for this group. National Minimum Wage rates for younger workers and apprentices will also increase significantly.
We commend employers who can pay more than the statutory minimum rates, but recognise that the ability to do so varies. The LPC takes into account affordability for business and the wider impact on the economy.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to tackle the issue of underage children working as delivery app riders.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
In the UK children’s employment is regulated through national and local legislation. In England the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (amended 1998), along with byelaws made by local authorities, prohibits employment of children aged under 14, and places restrictions on the hours and types of work those aged 14 and over can undertake.
We engage in regular conversation with businesses who utilise the service of delivery drivers. This department continues to work closely with business to ensure that risks are minimised by ensuring business has robust onboarding systems and processes in place, to cover matters such as age verification.