§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the evidence for the statement by Lord Sainsbury of Turville during the debate on the Part-time Workers Regulation 2000 (H.L. Deb., 22 May, col. 563) that "All businesses knew that the legislation was imminent and had plenty of time to prepare for it". [HL2613]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe basic principle of the legislation is to treat part-timers no less favourably than comparable full-timers. This principle is enshrined in the Part-time Work Directive. The UK has been committed to implementing the directive since April 1998. Thus businesses have known the legislation was imminent for two years. Since then, the Employment Relations Act 1999 and the consultation on part-time work have fleshed out the details of the Government's proposals.
132WA
§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the debate on the Part-time Workers Regulations 2000 on 22 May, who will pay for the backdated pension costs of (a) the £4 billion estimated by Lord Sainsbury of Turville at col. 564 and (b) the eventual cost of the regulations themselves; and, if these burdens are to fall on business, how they equate that with his statement at col. 553 that "The Government are concerned that the regulations placed on business are not overly burdensome, particularly on small businesses". [HL2614]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe estimate of £4 billion in backdated pension costs comes as a result of a ruling by the European Court of Justice. The case was based on sex discrimination law and is unconnected with the Part-time Workers Regulations. The costs will be borne by both employers and employees.
The cost to employers of the Part-time Workers Regulations is estimated to be £27.4 million. Employees will benefit by £23.4 million.
The proposals should not create a significant burden for most businesses. In fact the great majority who do not treat their part-timers less favourably than their full-timers will be unaffected. Changes will need to be made only where part-timers are less favourably treated than comparable full-timers. Small employers should not be unduly affected by the new rules.
§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they would have introduced the Part-time Workers Regulations 2000 in their present form if they had not been obliged to do so by the European Union. [HL2615]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe Government would have introduced these measures on part-time work whether or not they had been agreed at European level. Ending discrimination is important if part-timers are to play a full part in the flexible labour market.