Written question asked by Lord Brady of Altrincham (Conservative) on Friday, 29 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 November 2004. It was answered by Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 November 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list European legislation passed under the Social Chapter since 1997; and what assessment the Government has made of the cost to business in the United Kingdom of meeting the requirements of the legislation. - Inc figure.

Answer: Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list European legislation passed under the Social Chapter since 1997; and what assessment the Government has made of the cost to business in the United Kingdom of meeting the requirements of the legislation. [195829] Mr. Sutcliffe: Since 1997, four Directives have been agreed under the EU Social Chapter: the Burden of proof in sex discrimination cases Directive; the Part-time Workers Directive; the Fixed Term Work Directive and the Information and Consultation Directive. The Government has implemented all of these in the United Kingdom, with the exception of the Information and Consultation Directive, which is due to come into force in April 2005. In addition, as it agreed when it ended the UK's opt out of the EU Social Chapter, the Government has implemented the Parental Leave Directive and European Works Council Directive, which were agreed before 1997. These new rights have helped to set decent minimum standards in the workplace. In doing so, the Government has kept burdens on business to a minimum. The administrative costs to employers of providing the Social Chapter rights account for well under 1p for each worker each week. The policy costs are under £500 million.

Secondary information