Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to give worker status to foster carers.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
As set out in our Plan to Make Work Pay, we will consult on a simpler two-tier employment status framework that differentiates between workers and the genuinely self-employed. We will confirm plans for this in due course.
I pay tribute to the vital efforts of foster carers, who carry out a challenging role that requires skill, dedication and love. This government will ensure more children can receive loving care in foster families.
We will work with councils and fostering services to ensure foster carers receive the support they need and deserve, but there are no plans to give worker status to foster carers.
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how his proposed review into the implementation of unpaid carers' leave is to be conducted; and whether the review will be published.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government made a commitment to review carer’s leave in the Plan to Make Work Pay. We will provide an update on progress in this area in due course.
The Plan to Make Work Pay also includes a number of measures which will help unpaid carers workers to enter, remain and progress in work - including making flexible working the default and introducing a right to switch off.
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to maintain zero-hours contracts for people who prefer these to other employment options.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
As outlined in our Plan to Make Work Pay, we will end exploitative zero hours contracts by giving workers the right to a contract that reflects the number of hours they regularly work. We will also introduce a new right to reasonable notice of shifts, with compensation for shifts cancelled or curtailed at short notice.
We appreciate that zero hours contracts work well for some people. Those who are offered guaranteed hours will be able to remain on zero hours contracts if they wish. However we are committed to ending one-sided flexibility, and ensuring that if workers are not benefitting from the flexibility these contracts offer, they have a right to an alternative.