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Working Hours

Asked by Michael WheelerLabourDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 16 June 2026UIN 8242

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department’s consultation document entitled Make Work Pay: ending one-sided flexibility – reforms of zero hours and similar contracts, published on 2 June 2026, what consideration has been given to the potential impact of the Government's preference for an hours threshold within the range of 8 to 20 hours per week on those who do not fall in that range.

Answered by Kate Dearden

The government has published its consultation to understand further the impacts that different options could have on employers and workers, and will publish further analysis in due course as we implement the measures.

We are consulting openly on a wide range of hours threshold options including the government preference of 8 to 20 hours per week and are seeking views on how different hours thresholds would impact all workers, including those who do not fall within this range, as well as any unintended consequences.

The evidence received will inform the policy to ensure the right works for everyone.

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