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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of employees who have been subject to dismissal and re-engagement proceedings in the last 12 months.

The Department engaged ACAS to gather evidence of how fire and rehire is being used and they have concluded their work. ACAS engaged with a range of groups, including employer bodies and trade unions, as well as professional bodies with advisory contact with employers, such as employment lawyers, accountants, and payroll services.

Officials are now giving ACAS’ due consideration, and the Government will respond in due course.

The Department does not collect quantitative evidence on dismissal and re-engagement.

Employers are however required to notify my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State if they are proposing making more than 20 people redundant. The Office for National Statistics produce detailed statistics on redundancies by industry and individual characteristics.