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Written question asked by Lord Balfe (Conservative) on Wednesday, 4 September 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 September 2024. It was answered by Baroness Sherlock (Labour) on Monday, 16 September 2024 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

European Social Charter

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Sherlock on 3 September (HL Deb col 1046), what aspects of domestic law have been in breach of the provisions of the Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter and the Revised European Social Charter 1996, preventing their ratification; and what is the legislative timetable for correcting these breaches.

Answer

The Additional Protocol 1995 provides for a collective complaints mechanism. Member States who choose to accept this mechanism are not assessed on their conformity with the process. The UK has not accepted the mechanism because, like the majority of member States, the UK believes the existing supervisory mechanisms of the European Social Charter are adequate.

The new Government is embarking on an extensive programme of reforms, including our Employment Rights Bill which will change our position on provisions within both the 1961 and Revised Charter. The Government will, therefore, consider our position on the Revised Charter in due course.

A summary of the latest assessments of the UK’s conformity with the European Social Charter 1961 was published by the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe also published the UK’s report on non-accepted provisions of the European Social Charter and the Revised European Social Charter earlier this year. I will place a copy of both of these documents in the House of Lords Library.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL735
Session
2024-26
Related items
European Social Charter
Tuesday, 3 September 2024
Oral answers to questions
House of Lords
Subjects
European Social Charter
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk