Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Jim Hood (Labour). It was answered on Wednesday, 6 February 2008 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Official Engagements

Question: My right hon. Friend is aware that this Government have done good work in dealing with institutionalised poverty through welfare reform, the minimum wage, working tax credits and minimum income guarantees. Does he agree that there is still much to do, particularly to protect people in the workplace from rogue employers who criminally exploit agency workers by paying them less than the minimum wage and by hiring and firing in breach of the law?

Answer: That is why we are looking to see how we can progress the agency workers directive and why we created a vulnerable workers forum to examine the problems faced by people in some of the lowest paid jobs in the country. I must also remind my hon. Friend that the biggest single measure that we have taken to protect vulnerable workers—the creation of a minimum wage—was opposed by the Conservative party.

Secondary information