HC Deb 19 September 2002 vol 390 cc167-8W
Mr. Watts

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to review the resources available for employment rights enforcement. [73367]

Alan Johnson

In October 2001, along with the Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of State announced a joint Taskforce to make recommendations on how the Employment Tribunal system can be made more efficient and cost effective. Their terms of reference include advising on the need for new investment to meet any revised service objectives and performance measures. The Taskforce have just delivered their report, which the Secretary of State is publishing today. We are now considering their recommendations, including the resource implications.

In addition, on 11 July 2002 the Secretary of State also announced a review of the operation of the Employment Relations Act 1999. This will look at the operation of the law as regards the institutions which enforce employment rights in this area.

Mr. Watts

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to increase penalties for breaches of employment law. [73365]

Alan Johnson

The Employment Act 2002 provides that employment tribunals must normally vary any award made under the main jurisdictions where there is a failure on the part of either party to complete a statutory dispute resolution procedure before a tribunal application is made. The Act also provides that penalties will be increased under the main jurisdictions if an employee's written statement of employment particulars is absent or deficient. These provisions will be implemented in due course.

Limits on various payments and employment tribunal awards are varied each year in line with any changes in the Retail Prices Index, in accordance with the provisions of the Employment Relations Act 1999. In line with our previous commitments, on 11 July 2002 the Secretary of State announced a review of the operation of this Act