Jobseeker’s Allowance: Interns

Debate between Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe and Baroness Wilcox

Wednesday 30th November 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox]

We are concerned that requiring all interns to be paid would actually reduce the number of available internships. With so many of our young people not able to get jobs at this time, we think that anything that will give them experience of the workplace and help them is a very good thing. We want to strike a balance between reducing exploitation and maintaining the maximum number of internship opportunities. As I have said, we are committed to improving social mobility and that what matters is what you know, not who you know. As the Chancellor made clear yesterday, we will work hard wherever we can to support youngsters trying to get into work and get the experience that they so badly need.

[Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe]

The Chancellor announced yesterday that he is asking the public service independent pay review bodies to examine by next July the possibility of introducing regional or local pay. Could the Minister please confirm that the Government have no plans to follow the logic of that and in turn to examine the possibility of paying allowances and benefits, such as the jobseeker’s allowance, on a regional or local basis?

[Baroness Wilcox]

As far as I know, we are sticking with the minimum wage as the basis of what we are doing. Internships are paid based on the minimum wage. Anything which is paid above that is purely a voluntary arrangement. Arrangements made between employers and employees are based upon that.

Transport: Fuel Prices

Debate between Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe and Baroness Wilcox

Thursday 24th November 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox]

No, I do not know the answer to that question about the last time that it looked. All I know is that it will constantly be looking and if there is enough worry around the area it will, I am sure, look at it.

[Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe]

Will the noble Baroness confirm that the number of staff engaged by the Office of Fair Trading has been reduced?

[Baroness Wilcox]

I would imagine that everybody is tightening their belts. No doubt it, too, has had to reduce, as have all government departments following the terrible debts that we incurred when we came into government.

Companies: Executive Remuneration

Debate between Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe and Baroness Wilcox

Wednesday 9th February 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox]

On the publication of information. At the moment, we are going through this again with the first report to which I referred, A Long-Term Focus for Corporate Britain. I shall be reporting on this just before Easter.

[Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe]

My Lords, I raised this question previously with the noble Lord, Lord Sassoon, and I referred him to the Private Member’s Bill of the noble Lord, Lord Gavron. His response was that it was too radical. Does the Minister share that view?

[Baroness Wilcox]

We shall look at this carefully. I do not think anything is beyond review. I am very happy to look at anything and I am not afraid to either, so I am delighted to answer your question.