VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Hospitality Industry and Retail Trade: Conditions of Employment

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 22 May 2026UIN 135

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of insecure employment contracts on workers in the retail and hospitality sectors.

Answered by Kate Dearden

The Department’s assessments of the impact of insecure employment contracts on workers in the retail and hospitality sectors are set out in the impact assessments for the zero hours contract measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025. In summary, while some workers in the retail and hospitality sectors value the flexibility these contracts can provide, many face insecurity of hours and income due to one-sided flexibility.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim