Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring employers to provide basic employment references for former employees.

The government has not assessed the merits of requiring employers to provide employment references for former employees. Employers can choose whether to provide a reference, except where there is specific legal or contractual obligation to do so. However, where an employer does provide a reference, common law requires it to be fair, truthful, accurate and not misleading. ACAS publishes guidance for employers on this issue on its website.

The government recognises concerns that some recruitment practices may create barriers to labour market participation and will consider how best to work with employers to reduce any potential barriers. However, at this time there are no plans to require further steps from employers on this issue.