Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requirement there is for care workers to be paid at national minimum wage rates for time spent travelling between assignments; what representations he has received from and discussions he has had with care companies on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [95731]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonThe National Minimum Wage Regulation 15 provides that workers travelling on the business of their employer during their normal working hours must be paid the national minimum wage for that time, except where the travel is between the worker's home and place of work. I have received a number of representations on this issue from organisations involved in the provision of care work.
We have asked the Low Pay Commission to monitor and evaluate the impact of the national minimum wage on pay, employment and competitiveness. I would expect that care work providers will have taken the opportunity to raise this matter with the Commission.