§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the needs of employers with regard to new employees. [87457]
§ Ms HewittI assume the question concerns the needs of employers employing staff for the first time.
I firmly believe that new employers need clear, accessible advice and guidance on good employment practice and regulatory requirements. This is made available by ACAS and the Small Business Service, working with my Department and other key Departments and agencies.
In addition, I plan to take forward the helpful recommendations of the Better Regulation Task Force in this area: to run pilots to identify ways in which businesses, particularly small businesses, can participate in shared human resources schemes; to provide advice visits to employers, free seminars to businesses with less than five employees and easier access to mediation and arbitration services.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received from businesses about their requirements with regard to new employees. [87458]
§ Ms HewittMinisters regularly meet businesses and their representatives to discuss a range of issues, including employment matters.