Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of safeguarding measures for in-person work experience placements at i) outlets centrally owned by and ii) franchisee-owned stores operated by McDonald's UK in relation to the risk of sexual harassment of young people in the workplace.

The Department is pleased to work with employers such as McDonald’s UK to provide work experience opportunities.

All employers hosting placements are required to comply with relevant legislation and are expected to provide a safe working environment including safeguards relating to health and safety, welfare, equality and protection from harassment. Participants undertaking work experience placements are covered by the same workplace protections as other workers.

The Department undertakes due diligence when establishing and maintaining partnerships with employers. This includes requiring employers to sign an employer agreement confirming their compliance with relevant workplace safety and safeguarding legislation and maintaining ongoing engagement through Jobcentre Employer and Partnership teams. Where concerns are raised, placements can be reviewed and appropriate action can be taken.