Member

This amendment proposes a blanket exemption for the security services, which I feel would be a retrograde step, as flexible-working powers have always applied to the security services. This would, indeed, prevent all security service employees from benefiting from strengthened flexible working rights, and it is not necessary in order to manage the risks to national security. The measure that the Government have included in Clause 9 is reasoned and sensible, in that it uses an already established provision to both protect national security in instances where disclosure would be harmful and ensure that flexible working remains an option for thousands of security service employees.