Fair Work Agency: Small and Micro Businesses

Lord Sharpe of Epsom Excerpts

Wednesday 17th December 2025 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Sharpe of Epsom]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of the proposed Fair Work Agency on small and micro businesses.

[Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Leong) (Lab)]

My Lords, this Government recognise the vital contribution that small and micro-businesses make to our economy. The Fair Work Agency will provide better support to the majority of businesses that want to do right by their staff to help them comply with the law. Assessing how best to support small businesses will be core to the Fair Work Agency. That is why we are putting business expertise at the heart of the agency through its advisory board.

[Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con)]

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his Answer, but small businesses continue to raise concerns about the Government’s one-size-fits-all approach to labour market policy. Can the Minister assure the House that in designing the structure of the Fair Work Agency, proper account will be taken of businesses with small or no HR departments?