Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)

Well, I am not so sure about the “democrat”, but they are certainly called Liberal Democrats. They will be able to say, “We raised your concerns”, but they raised our concerns in a way that made it difficult to have the rules of engagement that would enable us to refine those amendments in Committee. I hope that in considering his amendment, the noble Lord, if he takes it a stage further—I do not anticipate that the Government will accept it—may take account of the concern that it is not just about the public sector but the private sector. Bear in mind that this is just one measure on top of others—the increase in the minimum wage and the employment rights legislation—that will make it much more difficult for people to be flexible in their labour arrangements. All these things together are crushing these important public service organisations. I support the amendment, but I hope that the noble Lord might think further on the contribution made by those private providers providing services to people who pay from their own pockets.