§ 27. Mr. Ian TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had on the recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report with colleagues in the EU; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntI have discussed the OECD report with colleagues on several occasions, in particular at the ministerial meeting in Paris on 7 June. There has been strong support for its conclusions. The report makes it clear that flexible skills and working practices are a crucial factor in reducing unemployment; and that statutory minimum wages and excessive non-wage labour costs reduce employment prospects, particularly for young people.