{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpCreated=2014-10-21T08%3A42%3A22.023Z&hansardHeading=Conditions+of+Employment", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpCreated=2014-10-21T08%3A42%3A22.023Z&hansardHeading=Conditions+of+Employment", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpCreated=2014-10-21T08%3A42%3A22.023Z&_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Conditions+of+Employment", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&max-ddpCreated=2014-10-21T08%3A42%3A22.023Z&hansardHeading=Conditions+of+Employment", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpCreated=2014-10-21T08%3A42%3A22.023Z&hansardHeading=Conditions+of+Employment", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpCreated=2014-10-21T08%3A42%3A22.023Z&hansardHeading=Conditions+of+Employment", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93663", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93663/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The information requested is not available. Jobseekers claiming Jobseekers Allowance are not required to apply for zero-hours contract vacancies, they will not be sanctioned as a result of not applying. UC claimants who refuse to accept a zero hours contract job offer, without good reason, can be subject to a sanction. However a UC claimant will not be sanctioned for refusing to take a zero hours contract with an exclusivity clause.<\/p>

<\/p>

Universal Credit automatically adjusts benefit payments depending on the number of hours a person works \u2013 whatever the type of contract. Where Universal Credit claimants refuse to apply for a role, including a Zero Hours Contract role when mandated to do so or refuse to accept a job offer, they can be sanctioned. People on Universal Credit will not be required to sign up to zero hours contracts which require exclusivity, so they will always have the opportunity to gain more hours elsewhere.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4084", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Esther McVey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wirral West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Esther McVey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-20T15:35:53.0831717Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Conditions of Employment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people employed on a zero-hours contract have been sanctioned by Jobcentre Plus for failing to look for or secure extra work hours in the last 12 months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/478", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birkenhead"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Frank Field"} ], "uin" : "210694"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/79127", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/79127/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Information on jobseekers moving into zero-hours contract jobs is not held nor has it been commissioned. Information published by the Office for National Statistics suggests zero-hours contracts make up a relatively small part of the overall labour market, accounting for about 2% of all people in work.<\/p>

<\/p>

Jobseekers claiming Jobseekers Allowance are not required to apply for zero-hours contract vacancies, they will not be sanctioned as a result of not applying. UC claimants who refuse to accept a zero hours contract job offer, without good reason, can be subject to a sanction. However a UC claimant will not be sanctioned for refusing to take a zero hours contract with an exclusivity clause.<\/p>

<\/p>

Universal Credit automatically adjusts benefit payments depending on the number of hours a person works \u2013 whatever the type of contract. Where Universal Credit claimants refuse to apply for role, including a Zero Hours Contract role when mandated to do so or refuse to accept a job offer, they can be sanctioned. People on Universal Credit will not be required to sign up to zero hours contracts which require exclusivity, so they will always have the opportunity to gain more hours elsewhere.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4084", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Esther McVey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wirral West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Esther McVey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-09-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-09-01T16:26:41.3318604Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Conditions of Employment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2014, Official Report, column 722W, what information his Department (a) holds and (b) has commissioned on the number of jobseekers moving into zero-hours contract jobs.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4128", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chuka Umunna"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Streatham"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Chuka Umunna"} ], "uin" : "206778"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/78221", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/78221/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

No claimants are required to sign up for zero hour contracts which require exclusivity.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4084", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Esther McVey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wirral West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Esther McVey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-17T15:17:37.9520464Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Conditions of Employment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 2 April 2014, Official Report, column 722W, on conditions of employment, whether current guidelines allow claimants through Jobcentre Plus to be found zero-hours contract jobs which include exclusivity clauses.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4128", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chuka Umunna"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Streatham"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Chuka Umunna"} ], "uin" : "206038"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/64650", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/64650/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

<\/p>

Under the new regulations, which were brought into force on the 30 June, all employees with 26 continuous weeks of service have the right to request flexible working from their employer. Individuals on zero hours contracts, and who are employees, can request a change in their contracts which could also include a request to move to a fixed hours contract.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

Individuals on zero hours contracts may be employees or workers, depending on the contract agreed between them and their employer. The Government does not keep records on the proportion of individual zero hours contracts workers on either employee or worker contracts.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

While individuals on zero hour contracts, and who are not employees, do not have a statutory right to request flexible working, they can make an informal request to their employer to vary their hours or their working pattern. An employer can also choose to offer contractual rights that are more generous than those provided for in statute.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>

<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-03T14:45:09.4096601Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Conditions of Employment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Flexible Working Regulations 2014 on workers with zero hours contracts.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3966", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Murray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Edinburgh South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Murray"} ], "uin" : "203174"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/64657", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/64657/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

I have been asked to respond on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.<\/p>

Calls to the Pay and Work Rights Helpline are as follows:<\/p>
<\/td>

2013/14<\/p><\/td>

2012/13<\/p><\/td>

2011/12<\/p><\/td>

2010/11<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

England<\/p><\/td>

25,958<\/p><\/td>

21,307<\/p><\/td>

26,893<\/p><\/td>

34,285<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Scotland<\/p><\/td>

1,882<\/p><\/td>

1,537<\/p><\/td>

2,171<\/p><\/td>

2,961<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Wales<\/p><\/td>

1,249<\/p><\/td>

1,075<\/p><\/td>

1,400<\/p><\/td>

1,793<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

N Ireland<\/p><\/td>

453<\/p><\/td>

390<\/p><\/td>

505<\/p><\/td>

707<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Unknown<\/p><\/td>

14,019<\/p><\/td>

17,698<\/p><\/td>

17,466<\/p><\/td>

11,737<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Total<\/p><\/td>

43,561<\/p><\/td>

42,007<\/p><\/td>

48,435<\/p><\/td>

51,483<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

<\/p>

<\/p>

The \u2018unknown' figure refers to callers who either did not wish to say where they were calling from, or rang off before they could be asked.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Swinson"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Dunbartonshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Swinson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-08T16:04:14.5262622Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Conditions of Employment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many calls the Pay and Work Rights Helpline received in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland in each of the last four years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3909", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Pamela Nash"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Airdrie and Shotts"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Pamela Nash"} ], "uin" : "202979"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/62773", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/62773/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1561", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Nick Hurd"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Nick Hurd"} , "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/62773/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "PQ 201281.pdf"} , "title" : "ONS Letter to Member"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-06-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-06-23T15:18:22.867", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Conditions of Employment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which sector of the economy made greatest use of employee contracts that do not guarantee a minimum number of hours in (a) 2010 and (b) the most recent year for which information is available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/534", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Ruane"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Vale of Clwyd"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Ruane"} ], "uin" : "201281"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/62782", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/62782/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

No assessment of the effects of zero hours contracts on worker's wellbeing has been made by this Department. However the Workplace Employers Relations Study (WERS) found that overall well-being of employees increased between 2004 and 2011 despite the recession. Overall job satisfaction also increased and is very high by international standards.<\/p>

Zero hour contracts have a place in today's labour market, supporting business flexibility, making it easier to hire new staff and providing pathways to employment for young people.<\/p>

Following a public consultation, which closed in March this year, this Government has introduced legislation via the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill to ban the use of exclusivity clauses in contracts which do not guarantee any hours.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jenny Willott"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff Central"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jenny Willott"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-06-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-06-26T16:46:18.1351528Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Conditions of Employment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of the use of zero hour contracts on workers' wellbeing.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/534", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Ruane"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Vale of Clwyd"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Ruane"} ], "uin" : "201365"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 7, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }