Member

On Amendment 266A, the labour market is constantly evolving, and new challenges are always emerging. Flexibility will therefore be key to the success of the fair work agency. The power to extend the remit of the fair work agency and the ability to delegate functions to other public authorities are vital to that. For example, it is the Government’s intention that the fair work agency will have responsibility to enforce the minimum wage. The Bill will allow certain functions to be delegated to other bodies, in the same way that HMRC currently enforces the minimum wage on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade. However, the amendment tabled by the noble Baroness would completely undermine this. It would restrict our ability to make consequential amendments that might be necessary to ensure effective delegation where we have additional rights in the scope of the fair work agency’s enforcement remit. An effective fair work agency will benefit businesses and workers, and I am sure this is something that we all want to see up and running without any further delay.