Oral Answers to Questions

Gavin Newlands Excerpts

Tuesday 15th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Anna Soubry]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question, because as he will know we have had a real look at how the self-employed work and the sorts of changes that might be made to improve their conditions and to ensure greater fairness with those who are not self-employed. As somebody who was self-employed for many years, I am fully aware of this issue. We are looking at the excellent report that has been produced and seeing how we can encourage more people to start up their own business and, if they are self-employed, ensure they get a better deal.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

T5. In February, the Cabinet Office announced its intention to insert a new clause into grant agreements for charities. Many universities, including my local University of the West of Scotland, are worried that that will prevent them from being able to advise Government, Parliament and political parties. Will the Minister confirm whether universities will be exempt from any new clause, and if so, what form the exemption might take?

[The Minister for Universities and Science (Joseph Johnson)]

We are discussing with Cabinet colleagues exactly how we might treat universities with respect to that proposal.