§ Phil SawfordTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with local authority employees regarding their proposals to change the terms and conditions of local authority employer which would(a) abolish Part 3 of the National Single Status agreement and (b) stop unsocial hours payments. [121052]
§ Phil HopeThe National Single Status agreement was negotiated between local authority representatives and the unions. The Government had no input to these negotiations. They have not sought to influence the development of local authorities' policies in this area since the detailed terms and conditions of local government employment are a matter for councils to determine.