Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Department has considered setting the definition of low hours for the purposes of the guaranteed hours provisions at 8 hours per week or below.

In its consultation, the government has expressed a preference for an hours threshold for the right to guaranteed hours of between 8 and 20 hours per week, on the basis that this is likely to offer the best balance of costs and benefits. The consultation provides space for respondents to choose an ‘other’ option and we welcome views outside this range.

We recognise that setting the threshold involves balancing improved income security for workers with maintaining flexibility for employers and workers. We are engaging fully with stakeholders and considering available evidence before finalising the threshold in regulations.