§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the issuing of statutory redundancy payments by his Department. [68033]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe responsibility for making a statutory redundancy payment lies in the first instance with the redundant employee's former employer. It passes to the National Insurance Fund, however, in cases where the former employer is insolvent or otherwise unable to meet it, for example by reason of severe financial difficulty. We keep this aspect of the employment rights legislation under review, but have no plans to change it at present. The Department' s Redundancy Payments Service processes applications for payment, working to performance targets published in its Service Charter and reviewed annually.