Downing Street Says » EU agency workers

Asked to confirm reports that the PM’s office commissioned its own legal advice on the EU’s Agency Workers Directive, the PMS said that the EU directive was agreed in 2008, the regulations have been on statute book since January 2010, and that they would come into force in October. He noted that there have been various concerns expressed by business about these regulations. The PMS said that the Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable, has been working hard to ensure that we limit any burdens placed on employers.

Asked if the Secretary of State for Business asked for additional rules to be added, the PMS replied the Government had been working with employers and businesses to discuss how to minimise the impact of regulations on businesses. He pointed towards the guidance published by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, earlier this year to help businesses with the new regulations and minimise the costs involved.

Asked again if he expected the rules to change further, the PMS reiterated that the Government was constantly looking at the issue of burdens on business. He said that this Government has stated its aim to be the first Government to reduce the burden of regulation over its lifetime.

Asked if there would be any new guidance, the PMS said he was not aware of any new guidance being published.

Asked why a QC was commissioned to review the policy, the PMS replied he didn’t want to bogged down in process, but that as the Government looked at ways to cut red tape and reduce burdens on businesses, it would take appropriate advice. He said that the Government would not apologise about the fact that it would continue to look at the issue of red tape and look very hard at how it could reduce burdens on businesses.

Asked if there would be a delay in the implementation of the directive, the PMS said in was due to come in the 1st October 2011.

Asked if employees’ basic rights were considered a burden on business, the PMS said that, while some regulations are very good and important, and should be there, what the Government should always do is to seek to minimise the cost of those regulations to business.

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» Tuesday, September 6, 2011

EU agency workers

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