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Work and Families Bill

Does the Minister accept that, as a result of the consultation the employers’ representatives to whom the Government talked supported our approach? The paper by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs says:"““In the face of the mixed response from employers,””—" that is a reference to the fact that there is support for the Bill among small business, but not among larger employers—"““their representatives suggested Direct Payment should be optional””." That is precisely what the new clause seeks to achieve. The paper says:"““Such a scheme could be developed.””" Does the Minister therefore accept that the representatives consulted by the Government support what the new clause is trying to achieve?