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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he and his Department will publish the consultation on a new statutory code to end fire and rehire tactics; and whether his Department has started discussions with external stakeholders on the new code.

The Government has been clear that using dismissal and re-engagement as a negotiating tactic is unacceptable. We expect companies to treat their employees fairly.

In 2021, following a government request, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service published new guidance to ensure that employers and employees are clear on their responsibilities.

Since then, officials have met a number of interested stakeholders to discuss the issue. We will set out next steps in this policy area in due course.