Four-Day Working Week

Debate between Lord Suri and Lord Callanan

Monday 5th September 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

In this country, we believe in freedom of choice. People are free to join a trade union if they wish and, as I have remarked before, only a minority have chosen to do so.

[Lord Suri (Con)]

My Lords, your Lordships have heard from many noble Lords that working four days is not a good idea. I would like to hear some more detail from the Minister. Would it be worthwhile to have four working days in the week?

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I did not really catch what the noble Lord said. If he was asking whether we will look at flexible working provisions, of course we will. We have responded to the consultation and introduced the right for employees to ask for flexible working. However, flexible working is a lot more than just a four-day week; it can involve a whole range of different flexibilities in the workplace.

COP 26: Sponsors

Debate between Lord Suri and Lord Callanan

Tuesday 6th October 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

Indeed, and we will be setting this out in due course.

[Lord Suri (Con) [V]]

My Lords, what do the Government believe these companies can offer compared to companies that are already focused on green energy? Have the Government taken the stance that large global corporations may be of no use?

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I did not quite catch all that the noble Lord said but I can confirm that we are looking for both monetary and value-in-kind sponsorships from companies that, as I said, have a credible short-term action plan and are committed to net zero.