Dear constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about "fire and rehire" tactics and Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement) Bill
I am aware that there have been reports of several businesses and industry sectors considering making large numbers of staff redundant. I appreciate that many businesses have been significantly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, including those operating in the hospitality, leisure, entertainment, culture, travel, retail and transport sectors.
I sympathise with anyone who is facing redundancy during the pandemic. Redundancy is never an easy process to go through, and it is important that those who have been made redundant are aware of their rights.
I know that Ministers are committed to boosting job creation. The 'Plan for Jobs' announced during the Summer Economic Update makes up to £30 billion available with a clear goal to create, protect, and support jobs, and to spur the UK's recovery following Covid-19. The plan includes three main points: supporting people to find the jobs that are out there, creating new jobs through investing in our infrastructure and housing, and protecting jobs by revitalising the hard-hit sectors upon which many jobs depend.
In relation to the Bill which was considered in the House on the 22nd October, I spoke during the debate and my speech is available here: Richard speaks in the Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement) Bill | Richard Fuller
In my role as a member of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, the Committee has been taking evidence on the impact of coronavirus on businesses and their workers and has taken evidence from Centrica and the GMB Union on the dispute with regard to Centrica's staff re-organisation - https://committees.parliament.uk/event/3613/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/ and https://www.richardfuller.co.uk/news/business-and-energy-select-committee-takes-evidence-centricas-job-loss-plans . I will be closely monitoring the situation as the Committee continues its work in this area and looks at whether to make recommendations to the Government ahead of the expected new Employment Bill.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely,