§ Mr. PollardTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans his Department has to allow employers more time to respond to consultations on employment legislation; [133083]
(2) what plans his Department has to ensure that improved guidance is issued with all new employment regulations; [133084]
(3) what plans his Department has to allow employers longer lead times to put new employment regulations into effect; [133085]
(4) if he will meet the Employers' Forum on Statute and Practice to discuss their concerns on (a) consultation on and (b) implementation of recent employment legislation. [133087]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonWe fully recognise the need to allow adequate time for responses in public consultations and for adequate periods of notice for employers and others affected by new legislation to adapt to its requirements. For consultation periods, we aim to comply with Cabinet Office guidelines, which currently prescribe eight weeks as a general minimum, and will take account of any revised guidance in this area resulting from the current consultation on a new code of practice. So far as implementation periods are concerned, we aim where possible to give at least three months' notice of entry into force, in line with the Government's response to the Better Regulation Task Force's report "Helping Small Firms Cope with Regulation—Exemptions and Other Approaches".
We recognise the need for employers, unions and workers to have access to the information they need to understand their rights and obligations under new legislation, and the necessity of ensuring that relevant and accessible information and advice is available. It is part of the remit of the Small Business Service to work across Government to improve the quality of information and advice on regulation in order to meet better the needs of small businesses in particular.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is well aware of the Employer's Forum on Statute and Practice's concerns, having corresponded with them and having received a report of their meeting with his officials, and does not consider a further meeting would be useful at this time.