§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the change in costs of employing self-employed carers as a result of regulating secretarial and employment agencies; and if he will make a statement; [94373]
(2) what assessment he has made of the impact on self-employed carers of his policy of regulating secretarial and other employment agencies; and if he will make a statement. [94372]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonCarers supplied by employment bureaux, whether self-employed or not, are protected by existing regulations on employment agency standards. We have been consulting on replacement regulations, including a proposal that workers (including carers) supplied by a bureau on a staff hire basis should have a 455W contract with that bureau instead of the hirer with whom they are placed. Care workers who are self-employed could remain so. The consultation document published on 31 May contains a regulatory impact assessment of possible cost consequences to those hiring staff through employment bureaux. We are also considering representations on costs.