Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact on apprenticeship numbers of the measures included in the Employment Rights Bill, including the proposed extension of protections against unfair dismissal to day one of employment.

In October, Government published 24 Impact Assessments representing a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis shows that the Bill is expected to benefit younger workers, typically disproportionately represented in low paid, low quality, insecure jobs.

The Employment Rights Bill will make basic protection against unfair dismissal a day one right for all employees. The new statutory probation period will provide lighter-touch standards for employers to dismiss an employee who is not suitable. These standards will also apply to apprenticeships and training contracts, requiring adequate evidence to justify dismissal on conduct or capability.