National Minimum Wage Legislation

Debate between Lord Harris of Haringey and Lord Offord of Garvel

Thursday 21st March 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Offord of Garvel (Con)]

Of the 33 million workers in the country, there are 27 million employees; that means that we have a proportion of the workforce which is self-employed. You might say they are the unsung heroes—the ones who put their laptop on at 8 am and close it down at 10 pm—and they deserve our respect.

[Lord Harris of Haringey (Lab)]

My Lords, is it not the case that, two years ago, the Government undertook to close the loophole which enabled P&O Ferries to pay way below the minimum wage? Has the Minister seen the reports in yesterday’s newspapers that many of its employees are currently being paid half the minimum wage? What are the Government doing about this?

[Lord Offord of Garvel (Con)]

Obviously, that case is well known, and P&O was rightly named and shamed. I saw the article but I am not aware of the details of the case. However, I am very clear that we will check to make sure that P&O continues to act within the law.

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

Debate between Lord Harris of Haringey and Lord Offord of Garvel

Committee stage
Monday 5th February 2024 Grand Committee

[Lord Harris of Haringey (Lab)]

My Lords, the Minister said that he would come back on Report, but it would be helpful if he would come back before Report so that all noble Lords can consider how he does so and table amendments accordingly.

[Lord Offord of Garvel (Con)]

I thank noble Lords for their contributions. I can confirm that we will come back before Report. The objective is to get a solution for this issue and to have a satisfactory outcome, so that we avoid carnage in the other place.

E-scooters and E-bikes: Battery Fires

Debate between Lord Harris of Haringey and Lord Offord of Garvel

Tuesday 27th June 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Offord of Garvel (Con)]

The consultation has started and will be published imminently. The findings will be made available. Generally, it is not the Government’s position to ban all dangerous items. Some modes of transport are more dangerous than others, but you choose your own mode of transport. Certainly, when it comes to affecting the public and increasing danger, that is exactly why the law prohibits these vehicles other than in a legal trial. With three departments working on this, I can safely say that the Government are alive to these issues.

[Lord Harris of Haringey (Lab)]

My Lords, the Minister will recognise that lithium-ion batteries are used in a variety of products and not just e-scooters. What steps are the UK Government taking to ensure that we have sufficient supplies of lithium-ion, and are those supply chains from sources that do not involve modern slavery?

[Lord Offord of Garvel (Con)]

That is a very far-reaching question. I will be delighted to write to the noble Lord on it.