Oral Answers to Questions

Angela Smith Excerpts

Thursday 20th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab)]

11. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on employment and workers’ rights deriving from EU legislation and rulings of the European Court of Justice being given domestic effect upon the UK leaving the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Mr David Davis)]

A large component of the people who voted to leave the EU could be characterised as the British industrial working class. It is no part of my brief to undermine their rights—full stop. As a Government, we have been clear that we will do nothing to undermine workers’ rights. All law in this area at the time of exit will be brought under UK law as part of the great repeal Bill, ensuring continuity.

[Angela Smith]

The 2000 part-time workers regulations implemented the EU directive that guarantees that the rights of part-time workers are equal with those of their full-time colleagues. Will the Secretary of State guarantee that those rights will not be removed or diluted in any way when the UK leaves the EU?

[Mr Davis]

As I said, all law will be incorporated—no exceptions.