Employment Agencies and Trade Unions

Debate between Jane Hunt and Rachael Maskell

Monday 11th July 2022 Commons Chamber

[Jane Hunt]

I thank the hon. Member for his question. I will talk about that a little later; it is a reserved right.

Some trade unions appear to be looking to create maximum disruption in a bid to stay relevant, rather than constructively seeking agreement with employers and avoiding conflict. In the light of this, the Government have reviewed the current industrial relations framework and have come to the conclusion that change is needed.

The first change we are making is to remove the outdated blanket ban on employment businesses supplying agency workers to clients when they would be used to cover official industrial action. Employers can, of course, already hire short-term staff directly to cover industrial action, but this change would give them the ability to work with specialist employment businesses to identify and bring in staff. The change in no way restricts the ability of workers to go on strike. It will, however, give employers another tool they can use when trying to maintain the level of service they offer to the public.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

I am grateful to the Minister for giving way. Has she considered the 100,000 vacancies we currently have in the NHS that we cannot fill? The staff who work for agencies are also unionised and will not cross a picket line, so how will she fulfil this legislation?

[Jane Hunt]

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. It is, of course, their choice. It is also their choice to take up an agency position.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jane Hunt and Rachael Maskell

Tuesday 2nd February 2021 Commons Chamber

[Jane Hunt (Loughborough) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to reduce the court backlog.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

What progress he has made on reducing the backlog of cases in HM Courts and Tribunals Service.