Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Young people and work: Interim report finding that 84% of NEETs do want to work, what steps is he taking to ensure that the guaranteed hours provisions do not constrain access to entry-level jobs.

The government has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the zero hours contract measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025. This includes consideration of the potential impact of the right to guaranteed hours on employment for different types of roles or groups in the labour market.

These reforms do not ban zero hours and similar contracts. Workers who value this flexibility will be able to remain on their existing arrangements if they prefer.

The government is consulting on these measures, and will consider responses before finalising regulations and implementation.