Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices

Debate between Lord Lucas and Lord Prior of Brampton

Tuesday 11th July 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

The noble Lord is right that the disparities in Sweden are smaller than in the US, the UK and other parts of the world. They are smaller but they are not non-existent. It is a big issue in the Scandinavian countries as well. We intend to address that through our industrial strategy. The second issue that the noble Lord touched on is that growth in productivity, in so far as there has been any, used to trickle down into the incomes of all people—everyone was brought up by improvements in productivity. That link seems to have been greatly weakened over the years, so that when there is growth, it goes to the top 10% and not to the 90%. The noble Lord is quite right that we need to look at that very carefully.

[Lord Lucas (Con)]

My Lords, one of the protections we offer workers is through employment agency legislation, but this legislation does not apply to many of the organisations that get gigs for gig workers. Do the Government intend to extend the protections of employment agency legislation to those who supply gigs?

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

I am not sure I can do that question justice. I would like to think about it and respond to my noble friend. Is he talking about gig workers supplied through employment agencies?

[Lord Lucas]

Agencies such as Upwork, for instance.

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

I will have to respond to my noble friend by letter.