Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the interests of UK workers are taken into account during Article 50 negotiations.

This government has made a clear commitment to protect workers’ rights, and ensure that they keep pace with the changing labour market as we leave the EU. Furthermore, we do not need to be part of the EU to have strong protections for workers' rights - the UK already goes beyond EU minimum standards in a number of areas.

Both DExEU Ministers and senior officials have met a wide range of interested organisations to hear concerns and gather insight. So far, the Secretary of State, the Permanent Secretary, and DExEU officials have met the TUC, and the Secretary of State has met UNISON. This engagement will continue as we move into the negotiation phase of our exit from the EU and will help to inform our negotiating positions.

Details of Ministerial meetings, and those of senior officials, will be published in the Department’s Quarterly Transparency Returns, which will be made publicly available on GOV.UK.