HC Deb 08 November 1982 vol 31 cc73-4W
Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many weeks' pay workers in each Standard Industrial Classification group are entitled to receive as part of their statutory redundancy payment; and whether there are any plans to increase this amount in the near future.

Mr. Waddington

A statutory payment is calculated according to the age, length of service and weekly pay of the employee, without regard to industry or occupation. The entitlement is 1½ weeks' pay for each year of service in which the employee was 41 years of age and under 65; 1 weeks' pay for each year of service between the age of 22 and 41; and ½ a weeks' pay for each year of service between the age of 18 and 21. There are no plans to change these amounts.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the statutory redundancy payments schemes which are applicable in each member State of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Waddington

Payments made to employees whose employment is terminated because of redundancy are made under a variety of different arrangements in different European Community countries. In some European Community countries redundancy payments to individuals are not required by law, or are only required in connection with closures or mass dismissals. In other European Community countries, payments are not confined to employees dismissed because of redundancy. Comparisons would not therefore be valid.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if any proposals have been put to or issued by the European Economic Community Commission on the harmonisation of redundancy payments schemes throughout the Community; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waddington

No such proposals have been issued by the European Community Commission. I am not aware that any have been put to them. The various Community countries have separate redundancy schemes which differ widely in the benefits they provide and in the basis of calculation. They could not readily be harmonised.