Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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Business Secretary Vince Cable statement on the publication of the Beecroft report
On publication of the Beecroft report today Business Secretary Vince Cable today said:
“We are today publishing Mr Beecroft's final report as
submitted to our department to dispel some of the myths that have
become associated with the report. Because of ongoing interest we
reached a view that it is in the public interest to allow people
to have access to its content.
“We have always been clear that sensible and well
thought-through reforms need a strong evidence base behind them,
not just anecdotal experiences.
“The UK already has one of the most flexible labour markets
in the world, as evidenced by the deal struck by the Vauxhall
workforce in Ellesmere Port last week. At a time when workers are
proving to be flexible in difficult economic conditions it would
almost certainly be counterproductive to increase fear of dismissal.
“The Government also has a duty to ensure the labour market
provides economic and employment opportunities and has therefore
set out a parliament-long review of employment law. As part of
that review we have issued a call for evidence on no-fault
dismissal for micro firms of fewer than 10 employees. I shall be
examining the evidence when this is submitted to me after the 8 June.
“Mr Beecroft came and spoke to officials in the Department
for Business, Innovation and Skills last year whilst compiling his
report. Consequently, the vast majority of proposals in Mr
Beecroft's final report reflect ongoing work by the
Department. In response to widespread concerns from small
businesses we are simplifying employment tribunals with further
measures in the planned Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill. And
across Government we have announced a number of measures for CRB
checks, work permits and pensions auto-enrolment to help ease the
burdens on business. This has all happened independently from Mr
Beecroft's recommendations and were part of the
Government's existing programme of reform and agenda for growth.
“One of Mr Beecroft's recommendations was a
suggestion to bring in no-fault dismissal. In my daily
conversations with businesses, this has very rarely been raised
with me as a barrier to growth.
“Businesses are much more concerned about access to finance
or weak demand than they are about this issue.”
Notes to editors: 1. The Beecroft report can be found
here http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/r/12-825-report-on-employment-law-beecroft
2. See accompanying background attachment which highlights
which recommendations have already been taken forward, which ones
Government are considering and which ones Government are not
planning on taking forward.
3. BIS's online newsroom
contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and
images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS
press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom
for more information.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
bispress.releases@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Henry Tanner
Phone: 020 7215 5947
henry.tanner@bis.gsi.gov.uk
