Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2014 to Question 216899, whether the decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal of 4 November 2014 in Bear Scotland and Others v Mr David Fulton and Others necessitates changes to the Working Time Regulations.

Our preliminary assessment of the impact of the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling suggest that total costs to employers in the UK could be in the region of hundreds of millions of pounds. The Government understands the deep concern felt by many employers about these potential costs. The holiday pay taskforce is discussing ways to limit the judgment’s impact on business. This encompasses both issues relating to back pay and management of future workforce planning. The Government also wishes to ensure that workers receive appropriate reward for their hard work.

Through our discussions with the Taskforce and a wide range of other representative organisations, we are urgently reviewing what actions we should take.