Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Sheila Gilmore Excerpts
Thursday 20th November 2014

(9 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
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As the hon. Gentleman knows, Parliament has spoken and we respect its views on the subject. All I would say is that the Federation of Small Businesses commissioned a study that pointed in a very different direction from the one he is describing. Of course, there has been extensive consultation with all the different parties on this issue.

Sheila Gilmore Portrait Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab)
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T7. The Secretary of State has frequently said that he wants fairness for people on zero-hours contracts. Will he now, even at this stage, reconsider the amendments he opposed in this House this week, which would have given greater protection to people on zero-hours contracts, including care workers?

Jo Swinson Portrait Jo Swinson
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We had extensive debates on these issues in Committee and on Report. The Government have introduced legislation that will now go to the other place to ensure that exclusivity clauses are banned. We have also made a commitment to introduce sector-specific guidance to promote best practice in the use of these contracts. That is action from this Government where the hon. Lady’s Government failed to act.