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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of pay between assignment (PBA) contracts on equal pay; what the average length of time workers have been on PBA contracts in the most recent period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

The Government does not hold data on the average length of pay between assignment contracts. Alongside the Government response to Matthew Taylor’s review of modern working practices, we launched a public consultation that covers, amongst other areas, the issue of pay between assignment contracts. As part of this, we asked for information on the use of these contracts. The consultation recently closed. We are considering the responses and we will set out next steps shortly.