Speeches by Bance.

“A free democracy needs free trade unions. What is the problem with trade unions coming into retail businesses, Tom?”

“Hospitality is less unionised, David. Is there a problem in hospitality with giving unions access to workers?”

“Thank you for coming today. When do you expect the Fair Work Agency to be fully operational, and what are your immediate priorities?”

“Do you think any exemptions to the Act’s requirements should be allowed, Joanne?”

“If I may, Chair, people quite frequently reference the rise of NEET young people—people who are not in employment, education or training. They talk about zero-hours contracts as a stepping stone into sustainable employment. Do you think that there should be an exemption for young people, Joanne?”

“Perhaps it is a little early to ask you—and I am sure we will come back to these topics—but are you already aware of areas where you feel like you are going to need more powers? There is a clear commitment that over time more powers will transfer to the Fair Work Agency, particularly things such as payment for cancelle…”

“I wanted to ask about the access requirements that are also in the Employment Rights Act. Sampson, I will start with you, but I will also go to Joanne and the employer representatives in just a moment. What barriers are there to unions’ ability to reach workers, especially in sectors such as social care? What challenge…”

“Dr Bell, the British Safety Industry Federation says that 82% of PPE from non-registered suppliers fails safety and compliance tests. We are talking about safety helmets that fail impact tests and fire-retardant clothing that is nothing of the sort. They say that the online marketplaces are a significant route for unsa…”

“What proportion of PPE listings are checked for valid certificates before they are on your platform? How do you verify that documents and CE markings are genuine? Will you meet your new responsibilities under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act?”

“Is PPE a high-risk product on your marketplace?”

“If Amazon is serious about product safety, why will you not recognise the GMB Union at BHX4 Coventry so that workers can raise concerns about unsafe or non-compliant goods on sale in your marketplace without fear or disadvantage?”

“Mr Klenner, you were in the audience for the previous panel. You will have heard Mr Mackay from Electrical Safety First say that this morning, his team found a three-in-one floor fan with water and electricity too close to one another at a 220 voltage that was not compliant with British safety standards. It has now sol…”

“So you will tell everyone who has bought it that you are removing it from sale and that it was dangerous—is that what I hear from you?”

“What happens to the untrustworthy seller who cannot be trusted to sell products appropriate for the British market? Do they stay on your site selling other untrustworthy products?”

“Amazon representatives should know that if they are coming before this Committee, they need to answer why they do not recognise a union at their warehouses.”

“Thank you very much for a very enlightening panel; it is really appreciated. As referred to, we have three online marketplaces in front of us next. I am going to give you the opportunity to imagine yourself in my place. If you had to ask each of them one question about their approach to consumer protection, what would …”

“Will you write to the Committee to tell us exactly how you check that PPE documentation and certification is genuine? I am tired of tradespeople coming to me about faulty, unsafe PPE.”

“We all support greater production here in the UK, but the details of these tariffs need more work. Black Country MPs, such as me and my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich (Sarah Coombes), have heard huge worries from our downstream industries, including stockholders such as Amari, fabricators such as Angle Ring, …”

“Paul, I will start with you. How is AI affecting jobs skills and ways of working in SMEs, and how are businesses building the capability to use these tools? We have spoken a little about this, but particularly about the skills gaps: where are they most acute, and what more needs to be done on making sure people have th…”

“This is a question to all the members of the panel and I will come to each of you in turn. Where have you seen the most credible productivity gains from AI so far, and are there areas where expected benefits have not materialised? I am particularly keen to understand where you are beginning to realise any savings, and …”