"My Lords, I thank the Minister for his explanation of how the investigatory powers of consumer law enforcers will be consolidated and simplified through this statutory instrument. It seems that these measures are needed in the face of mounting consumer concerns over the safety of the products that we buy.
"Before the Minister sits down, paragraph 13.1 of the Explanatory Memorandum states:
“This instrument does not directly apply to activities that are undertaken by small businesses”.
I am not sure that what the Minister is talking about is quite the same thing. Perhaps I am getting confused here, but …..." Baroness Burt of Solihull - View Speech
"My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for outlining the main provisions in this suite of SIs. I have to say, it is a great pleasure not to be talking about Brexit, and to be talking about improvements in employment rights following the Taylor report. I record my thanks …..." Baroness Burt of Solihull - View Speech
"My Lords, food hygiene ratings exist to help raise food safety standards in business, and consumers welcome the “scores on the doors”. However, in England—the only nation in the United Kingdom where it is not compulsory to publish these ratings—only 28% of food businesses that score between nought and three …..." Baroness Burt of Solihull - View Speech
"My Lords, in 2016 the Social Mobility Commission said that any work placements lasting more than four weeks should be classified as internships and that those doing them should receive at least the minimum wage. The Bill of the noble Lord, Lord Holmes, has progressed through the Lords unamended, so …..." Baroness Burt of Solihull - View Speech
"I agree with the Minister that we have a proud record of protecting workers’ rights. As he said, in many cases they are stronger than in European law.
I welcome the enforcement measures announced by the Secretary of State yesterday on existing rights. We all know that it is pointless …..." Baroness Burt of Solihull - View Speech
"To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the preparedness of small business for a no-deal Brexit...." Baroness Burt of Solihull - View Speech
"My Lords, the Government’s own no-deal impact assessment last week revealed the bleak picture that only 17% of small businesses that trade exclusively with the EU had signed up to the necessary identification to continue trade in Europe. Small businesses are far less able to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. …..." Baroness Burt of Solihull - View Speech
"My Lords, I add my thanks to the Minister for conducting a consultation on this “minor” piece of legislation last week and for his explanatory letter to the noble Lord, Lord Fox, which has been passed on to me. However, after the meeting last week I have rather more questions …..." Baroness Burt of Solihull - View Speech
"Can I take the Minister back to the costs of labelling and of having to register with two separate bodies? Has any assessment been made of the cost of that? It is an issue that was raised by others who know a lot more about this than I do...." Baroness Burt of Solihull - View Speech