HC Deb 11 February 1999 vol 325 cc409-10W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on minimum levels of redundancy payments. [68906]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, an employer is obliged to pay only the statutory minimum redundancy payment to employees. This is based on age, length of service and rate of pay and is subject to a maximum (currently £220 per week).

The amount of any redundancy payment over and above the statutory minimum is a matter between the employer and the employees, or their representatives. However, the Government hope that employees would adopt a consistent approach when determining redundancy payments regardless of where the employees are situated.