§ 12. Dr. Ian Gibson (Norwich, North)How the UK Government will respond to representations on its implementation of the collective redundancies directive. [115671]
§ The Minister for Competitiveness (Mr. Alan Johnson)The Government are satisfied that United Kingdom law fully and correctly implements the collective redundancies agreement.
§ Dr. GibsonI thank my hon. Friend for that answer. He will be aware that the directive is quite strong and quite clear on the need to consult workers' representatives before redundancies are made, to improve the prospects of an agreement. Will he ensure that representations are made to the European Commission on trying to ensure that United Kingdom employment law prevents workers from discovering their fate in the morning newspapers or on the radio? Several trade unions are already making such representations. Will he support them?
§ Mr. JohnsonThanks to the improvements that we introduced last year, employers who fail to inform and consult in good faith with a view to reaching agreement on matters, including the one which my hon. Friend cited—finding ways of avoiding redundancies, or mitigating their effects—are breaking the law.
493 Although there is no requirement for the consultation process to begin before the announcement of proposed redundancies, there is a requirement, in accordance with the directive, for the announcement to be made and the 494 process to begin in good time. It will not normally be appropriate for dismissal notices to be issued before sufficient meaningful consultation has taken place. That is the position under existing law.