HC Deb 13 February 2002 vol 380 cc445-6W
David Hamilton

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are taking to help people working longer than the 48 hour working week; and if she will make a statement. [35683]

Alan Johnson

The Government have introduced the Working Time Regulations, which provide that no worker (excluding those in the transport and offshore sectors, sea fishing and junior doctors) may be required to work beyond 48 hours a week on average.

The Government are also encouraging the greater provision of flexible working opportunities which can help ease the pressure on employees to work long hours. The Government's work-life balance campaign seeks to persuade companies to introduce ways of working which meet the needs of the business and its customers while simultaneously improving the work-life balance of their employees. The Government are also particularly looking to facilitate discussion between employers and parents to consider flexible working arrangements that suit them both. It is introducing a new right, to come into force in April 2003, for parents of children aged under six, or under-18 for parents of disabled children, to request flexible working and to have those requests seriously considered by their employers.