§ Vernon CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of employment legislation in the construction industry; and if she will make a statement. [45757]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Government's programme of employment legislation represents a balanced package of measures. The goal is to ensure that the UK has a modern productive workplace for the 21stcentury and a flexible labour market to be competitive and at the same time ensure minimum standards for workers.
The Government do evaluate, as far as possible, employment legislation across the economy. However, they have not assessed separately the effectiveness of employment legislation in the construction industry. The effects of new employment legislation on the economy as a whole and the labour market are assessed through the Government's Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) process. Where appropriate these RIAs include an industry based assessment. This is the case where industries are affected to different degrees. The regulatory impact assessments are carried out on each new proposal to evaluate the likely costs and benefits.