§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many initiatives designed to support innovative working time reform have been sponsored by her Department since 1997; and at what cost. [158843]
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§ Mr. SutcliffeThe Work Life Balance Challenge Fund has helped employers develop and implement flexible working policies through 448 projects, helping some 1.2 million employees, at a cost of £10.5 million over the last three years. As a result over 80 per cent. of these employers report that they permit some of their employees to adopt flexible working-time arrangements. The Work Life Balance Campaign has spent £1.2 million this year promoting flexible working, producing publicity materials such as our current "50 cases studies" booklet. This helps employers see how firms can adapt flexible work policies, and shows such policies are generally inexpensive but often produce substantial savings. The campaign also helps to sponsor events including the Work Life Balance Trust week-long awareness campaigns that take place each September, and increases awareness of the benefits of work-life balance for those who have to care for elder dependents.
In addition, from April 2003, mothers and fathers with children under six or disabled children under 18 have the right to request a flexible working pattern, which equates to 3.7 million employees eligible to make a request. In the RIA before implementation of the flexible working law we estimated the total recurring costs to employers at £296 million: implementation costs of £6 million, with a £34 million one-off cost; request handling £114 million; and accommodating changes to working patterns £176 million. As the legislation has been in operation for less than a year we do not have confirmation of these estimates at this time.
§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with(a) the British Chambers of Commerce, (b) the Federation of Small Businesses, (c) the Confederation of British Industry and (d) Labour Members of the European Parliament regarding the UK opt-out from the Working Time Directive. [158845]
§ Mr. SutcliffeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets with the CBI on a monthly basis to discuss a variety of issues, including Working Time. To my knowledge, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not discussed Working Time with either the British Chambers of Commerce or the Federation of Small Businesses; however, my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Business and Enterprise and I have with the Federation of Small Businesses very recently, although
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Disability Living Allowance Incapacity Benefit Attendance Allowance Ward name2 Number of recipients3
Percentage of population4
Number of recipients3
Percentage of population4
Number of recipients3
Percentage of population4
Acton 240 9.73 195 11.47 160 20.86 Borras Park 110 5.11 120 7.34 65 12.45 Bronington 85 3.21 85 3.89 65 13.89 Brymbo 220 10.40 185 10.99 90 21.03 Brynyffynnon 175 6.87 185 8.59 90 22.96 Bryn Cefn 120 7.75 130 10.10 50 18.94 Cartrefle 185 10.65 180 13.47 105 26.79 Cefn 460 11.81 395 12.99 215 25.12 Dyffryn Ceiriog/Ceiriog Valley 90 4.83 90 6.24 60 14.25 Chirk North 135 6.84 115 7.28 60 15.58 Chirk South 65 4.33 55 5.10 70 16.59 Coedpoeth 285 7.64 275 9.06 140 20.23 Erddig 115 6.24 75 5.18 90 22.78 Esclusham 190 8.95 145 8.45 80 19.66 Garden Village 85 4.92 75 5.97 65 13.63 Gresford East and West 100 4.10 110 6.20 150 22.35 they did not ask for Working Time to be on the agenda on either of these occasions. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has telephoned Stephen Hughes MEP about the Working Time Directive and I visited the European Parliament on 20 January and saw several MEP's including Gary Titley and Claude Moraes. Officials in my Department frequently meet various organisations, representing all sides of business and employees, to discuss Working Time including the opt-out.
§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the(a) reform and (b) removal of the UK opt-out from the Working Time Directive. [158846]
§ Mr. SutcliffeThe Government are committed to the retention of the opt-out from the 48-hour weekly working time limit. We are concerned to hear about possible misuse of the opt-out but do not believe that this is a reason to abolish it. It is better, we believe, if it were to be established that there are problem areas, to consider what safeguards are necessary to ensure that it works properly.
§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Eddisbury on 5 February on the UK opt-out from the EU Working Time Directive. [158847]
§ Mr. SutcliffeThe PQ tabled by the hon. Member for Eddisbury on 5 February, was answered on 26 February 2004,Official Report, column 497W.