Young Workers

Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Industry – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 4 November 2004.

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Photo of Tony Lloyd Tony Lloyd Labour, Manchester Central 11:30, 4 November 2004

If she will make a statement on her policy on protection against exploitation of young workers.

Photo of Gerry Sutcliffe Gerry Sutcliffe Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Trade and Industry) (Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs)

I understand that my hon. Friend is particularly interested in the position of young apprentices.

The Low Pay Commission looked at the position of apprentices aged 16 and 17 in its 2004 report and recommended that they should be exempt from the minimum wage because of concerns that employers might otherwise be deterred from providing valuable training opportunities for young people. Bearing in mind the Government's ambition to ensure that young people reach 19 with the skills they need to succeed, the Government accepted the commission's recommendation.

Photo of Tony Lloyd Tony Lloyd Labour, Manchester Central

My hon. Friend needs no lessons from me as he has a strong record on protecting all workers, and in particular young workers, and the Government have done much in that area. However, unscrupulous employers can make life difficult for people on modern apprenticeships. The £79 recommendation, accepted by many, is designed to ensure that employers take on apprentices. Some employers, alas, are driving the figure below the recommendation. Not only are they exploiting young workers, but they are giving them a strong incentive to get out of training and to work for Tesco or wherever the minimum wage applies. That is not the right way to go.

Photo of Gerry Sutcliffe Gerry Sutcliffe Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Trade and Industry) (Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs)

Again, I acknowledge the work that my hon. Friend has done to pursue employment rights for workers in the UK. He makes a valid point. The Learning and Skills Council, which is under the auspices of the Department for Education and Skills, deals with issues relating to apprentices. We are considering the matter of the £79 and the protections that should be included in the contracts between apprentices and companies. My hon. Friend will be pleased about the number of modern apprenticeships taken forward under the Government's policies, and he will recognise that we always try to strike a balance between making sure that people are employable and making sure they get a just reward from their work.