Taylor Review: Working Practices

Debate between Ian Mearns and Margot James

Tuesday 11th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Margot James]

I will certainly take on board my hon. Friend’s views, which are based on many years’ experience. I thank him for his contribution to the report.

[Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab)]

We have flexibility in the labour market on one side of the coin, but insecurity for people in employment on the other. There has been criticism, for instance from Unite the union this morning, that insecurity is to be the new norm, and we want to avoid that. Will the Minister think about reversing the coalition’s decision to extend from one year to two the protection of employment threshold?

[Margot James]

I do not accept the premise that insecurity is the new norm. One of the purposes of this report was to look closely at the extent of insecurity and to produce recommendations on how that might be mitigated when it is not desired by the workers. I will consider the question that the hon. Gentleman raises, but it was not addressed in this report.

Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill

Debate between Ian Mearns and Margot James

Monday 21st January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Ian Mearns]

What I will do is listen to the debate and see whether I can be convinced one way or the other.

Given that the majority of the people impacted by the Bill are in work, the Minister should perhaps have listened to my suggestion on Second Reading: why not legislate for a living wage so that low-paid workers are not reliant on the Government to top up their income but are paid an adequate wage?

[Margot James]

The hon. Gentleman talks about low-paid people and what they are suffering, but will he acknowledge that many people have been taken out of tax altogether, including 3,000 in his own constituency, and that 30,000 people in his constituency have at least benefited from the increased personal allowances?