Employment Bill

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean Excerpts

Wednesday 6th April 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

The BEIS Secretary of State has formally commissioned the Insolvency Service to urgently undertake a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the recent redundancies made by P&O Ferries that the noble Lord referred to. We will not hesitate to take further action if we find evidence of wrongdoing. He will know that the Secretary of State for Transport has also committed to applying the national minimum wage to seafarers.

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)]

My Lords, has my noble friend noticed the catastrophic reduction in the number of self-employed people in this country following the implementation of IR35? What has happened to out manifesto commitment that we would implement the recommendations of the Taylor report, which would have provided an opportunity for us to have an employment situation that would encourage the kind of high-tech investment and growth that the Government say they want?

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I certainly know the problems that my noble friend is identifying with IR35 and will communicate them to HMRC and the Treasury.