Extract from Oral
answer (Lords) on Workers’ Rights
(Lab): My Lords, I will follow
on from my noble friend’s supplementary question. On Tuesday this
week, the Supreme Court ruled that Deliveroo drivers
are not entitled to certain rights, including unionisation,
because they are considered to be self-employed and not workers.
Do the Government have any plans to protect the growing number of
workers in the gig economy, rather than allowing multinationals
to dodge basic employer obligations by pretending that some of
these lowest-paid workers are able to exercise their freedom to
turn down work?
The Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade () (Con): The
Government have done a huge amount to ensure that principles such
as zero-hours contracts can remain flexible, allowing millions of
people to do the work they wish to do and allowing students to
participate in the workforce, while ensuring that they have the
right levels of protection for holidays and other crucial
concepts in workers’ rights. It is important that we have a
strong economy, which will enable people to have these jobs. I
remind all noble Lords that we have increased the number of
employed people by over 3 million since we came to power in 2010.
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Extract from QSD
(Lords) on Mopeds, Motorcycles and Powered Light Vehicle
Industry
(Con):...I
recognise that the majority of cyclists are responsible. However,
they must have regard to other road users. I am appalled at the
flagrant abuse of legislation by e-bikes, e-scooters and regular
scooters from Deliveroo and
others, particularly in mounting pavements. How long are these
delivery scooters allowed to ride with an L-plate without passing
a test to show that they are legally competent to drive? Not
stopping for pedestrians at pedestrian crossings is an increasing
problem. What fines have been issued in the last six months or
year and what prosecutions have been made for the illegal use of
such e-bikes and e-scooters?
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