Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many letters have been issued under section 188 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 in the last 12 months by employers informing employees of a reduction in their conditions and terms of employment in the event that they are rehired.

The Government and its agencies do not have this information.

Terms and conditions of employment are for negotiation and agreement between employers and employees (or their representatives). Once agreed, these form a legally binding contract of employment. If the employer changes any of the terms without the employee’s agreement, the employee may be entitled to seek legal redress. Where the employer recognises a trade union, consent for the changes can be facilitated through collective bargaining.