Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jenny Willott and Richard Graham

Thursday 6th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Jenny Willott]

The hon. Lady will know that the Government looked at zero-hours contracts last summer, and are currently consulting on related issues such as exclusivity clauses and so on, which are just some of the problems that people have highlighted. Following on from that consultation, we will look at what measures need to be taken to ensure that such contracts are used positively and not to cause problems for those who are being exploited by them.

[Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con)]

22. What steps he is taking to raise awareness of export support services among small and medium-sized businesses.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jenny Willott and Richard Graham

Thursday 23rd January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Jenny Willott]

The hon. Lady is right and the Government are also concerned about the level of non-compliance. Since 1 July, HMRC has been prioritising complaints from apprentices about non-payment of the national minimum wage, and we are ensuring that every single case is investigated. We also started an awareness campaign in November that targets schools, colleges, jobcentres and so on, so that those starting apprenticeships are aware of what they are entitled to. From 1 October the skills Minister has been writing to all apprentices starting a Government-funded scheme to ensure that they know what they are entitled to and that businesses know what they must pay, so that we reduce non-compliance.

[Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con)]

18. What assessment he has made of the potential for reshoring and import substitution in the UK economy.