Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require gig workers to have the same rights as permanent employees.

This Government is clear that that everyone deserves to be treated fairly at work and rewarded for their contribution to the economy, both in terms of fair pay and fair working conditions.

An individual’s entitlement to rights at work, including those who work in the gig economy, is determined by their employment status, employee, worker or self-employed. Employees are entitled to all rights (subject to qualifying periods) and have responsibilities towards their employer. So-called Limb (b) workers are only entitled to some rights but have increased flexibility. The self-employed generally have no employment rights but have complete flexibility in their work.

The Government will continue to work closely with stakeholders to ensure that any options to clarify Employment Status are effective, preserving the flexibility of the labour market while making it easier to understand for individuals.