§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the transitional arrangements for work permits for professional sportsmen from the proposed 10 new member states of the European Union. [HL1164]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThere are no transitional arrangements. Until 1 May 2004, nationals of the 10 accession countries seeking to come to the United Kingdom for the purpose of employment will continue to be subject to work permit requirements. After that date, they will be subject to the same rights and obligations that apply to any other national of a new member state.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the decision to permit people on working holiday visas the right to take up employment in professional sport was taken; and what assessment has been made of the impact on employment opportunities in professional sport for United Kingdom sportsmen and women arising from this decision. [HL1190]
176WA
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalChanges to the Commonwealth Working Holidaymaker Scheme were announced on 20 June 2003 and became effective for new applicants on 25 August 2003. Nationals of Commonwealth countries who enter as working holidaymakers may now work in any sector during their two-year stay, but must intend to take a holiday break from work during their stay.
The Government are reviewing the impact of the changes to the scheme. As part of the review, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is currently assessing the impact on the sports sector with a number of sporting bodies.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the outcome and length of the consultation process which took place with professional sports organisations prior to the decision to permit people on working holiday visas to be employed in professional sport; which organisations responded to the proposals for professional sport; and how many responses were in favour of the proposals. [HL1191]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalA public consultation document on the Working Holidaymaker Scheme (WHS) was published in May 2002 with the consultation period ending on 23 August 2002. Eighty responses to the consultation document were received. Two professional sports players' associations responded, the Ice Hockey Players' Association and the Professional Footballers' Association. They made representations in October 2002, after the consultation period had ended, but their responses were none the less considered fully during the review process. Both responses opposed the proposed changes concerning the removal of work restrictions. The only other sporting body to respond was the Sports Council of Northern Ireland, which supported the removal of work restrictions.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) received representations directly from a number of sporting bodies, including the Ice Hockey Players' Association, against the proposed changes. However, the arguments raised were considered not to outweigh the potential advantages to the WHS of the removal of employment restrictions. The Government are reviewing the impact of the changes to the scheme. Within this review the DCMS, as part of the review process, is currently investigating the impact of the WHS with a number of sporting bodies.