Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it his policy to require delivery companies to (a) employ drivers on a contractual basis and (b) prohibit the use of temporary and self-employed workers.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Employment status is not a choice: it depends on the reality of the relationship between an individual and their employer. Individuals working for delivery companies may be employees, limb (b) workers, or self-employed. As private sector businesses, delivery companies are responsible for determining the engagement models that best suit their operations, provided they comply with the law.
While the Government recognises temporary or self-employed arrangements can provide valued flexibility, we also recognise concerns regarding exploitation of the current employment status framework and will consult on addressing these as soon as possible.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an assessment of the potential merits of making couriers jointly liable with retailers for (a) losses, (b) delays and (c) mis-deliveries.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The department has not made any such assessment as we believe current liability provisions are clear. When a consumer purchases a product, the contract is with the seller, not the delivery company. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the seller is responsible for delivery of goods bought online until they are in the consumer’s possession.
In addition, under the Digital Markets, Competition & Consumers Act 2024, an invitation to purchase is between the trader and consumer, and traders must not mislead consumers about delivery arrangements.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have considered the potential merits of compulsory training for delivery company workers.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade has not considered this. The private sector is responsible for determining any specific training their employees require, although under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers have a duty to ensure their employees receive adequate information, instruction, and training to ensure the health and safety of their employees.
The Act and its relevant statutory provisions only apply to the self-employed where their work activity poses a risk to the health and safety of others. The requirement for delivery drivers to be licensed falls to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and Police.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered the potential merits of setting sectoral minimum pay levels for delivery companies.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is responsible for setting statutory minimum wage rates which provide consistency and clarity for all employers and workers operating across different locations and different sectors. When it comes to sector-based policy, we are currently working to deliver the first Fair Pay Agreement process for adult social care in England, which will see sector representatives negotiate pay, terms and conditions for the sector.
Based on the lessons learned from this, officials will carefully consider any future sectors where such arrangements may be relevant.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered legislating to (a) require and (b) strongly encourage delivery company workers to join a union.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
This government believes that strong trade unions are essential for tackling insecurity, inequality, discrimination, enforcement, and low pay.
Through the Employment Rights Act 2025, we are introducing a new duty on employers to inform workers of their right to join a union and simplifying the statutory recognition trade union process, so that working people have a more meaningful right to organise through trade unions should they choose to do so. These measures affect all those in an employment relationship, including delivery company workers who meet the worker status criteria.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an assessment of introducing minimum service levels for (a) lost parcels, (b) missed deliveries and (c) proof of delivery for delivery companies enforced by (i) fines and (ii) licence restrictions.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.
Ofcom is responsible for regulation of the postal services sector and requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.
In its last review of the postal regulatory framework, Ofcom acknowledged that the safety and security of parcels moving through delivery networks remains a key consumer concern and it is monitoring this issue over the review period lasting until 2027. Ofcom publishes an annual report summarising its monitoring programme on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/postal-services/information-for-the-postal-industry/monitoring_reports.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding Ofcom’s remit to delivery companies, including mandatory reporting of complaints and delivery metrics.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.
Ofcom is responsible for regulation of the postal services sector and requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.
In its last review of the postal regulatory framework, Ofcom acknowledged that the safety and security of parcels moving through delivery networks remains a key consumer concern and it is monitoring this issue over the review period lasting until 2027. Ofcom publishes an annual report summarising its monitoring programme on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/postal-services/information-for-the-postal-industry/monitoring_reports.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment they have made of the potential merits of setting standards for proof of delivery by delivery companies.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.
Ofcom is responsible for regulation of the postal services sector and requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.
In its last review of the postal regulatory framework, Ofcom acknowledged that the safety and security of parcels moving through delivery networks remains a key consumer concern and it is monitoring this issue over the review period lasting until 2027. Ofcom publishes an annual report summarising its monitoring programme on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/postal-services/information-for-the-postal-industry/monitoring_reports.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring delivery companies to obtain a licence to operate which is conditional on (a) performance, (b) workforce practices and (c) complaint handling.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Postal Services Act 2011 introduced a general authorisation regime to provide postal services, removing the requirement for postal operators to hold a licence. However, the provision of those services by postal operators may be subject to regulatory conditions imposed by Ofcom, as the independent regulator for the sector.
Ofcom requires that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.
Ministers have been clear that some delivery companies need to do more to meet the rightful expectations of customers.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) Bournemouth University, (b) Health Sciences University and (c) other higher education institutions on the delivery of the Industrial Strategy.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The UK has some of the best universities in the world - four in the top ten – and according to research by Global University Venturing, in 2022 was second only to the US in total investment into university spin-outs. The Government recognises the contribution that Bournemouth University, Health Sciences University and other institutions make to higher education and their unique and critical role as engines for innovation and for meeting the skills needs of our growth-driving sectors and places where they concentrate. We will continue to support our universities including through Higher Education Innovation Funding, worth £280 million in 2024-2025, and as part of our broader record public investment in R&D of more than £86 billion over the Spending Review period.