Tuesday, 30 October 2012

The future of the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales, and Agricultural Wages Committees and Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees in England

A notice from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Consultation start: 16 October 2012
Consultation end: 12 November 2012

Summary

In July 2010 the Government announced its decision to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales, along with the Agricultural Wages Committees and the Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees in England. However, before taking a decision on the future of these bodies it has decided to seek the views of interested parties.

The Government considers that by abolishing the Agricultural Wages Board, and hence the agricultural minimum wage regime, it will simplify employment practices and remove an unnecessary regulatory burden. This will enable the industry to adopt flexible working practices and help to ensure a sustainable and viable future for agriculture.

Similarly it believes that given their reduced and limited functions it is difficult to justify the continued existence and public expense of the Agricultural Wages Committees and Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees. Therefore these thirty one regional bodies should likewise be abolished.

The Consultation Document sets out a number of questions on which the Government would welcome your views.

16 October 2012


How to respond

Responses should be sent to the following email address: awbconsultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk by 12 November 2012.

Or by post to:
Dermot McInerney
Area 8E,
9 Millbank
c/o 17, Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR

Further information: Agricultural employment and wages

Hazel’s comment:
Why do I get this funny feeling that the government is doing away with the bodies that are easy to ditch in order to meet targets for reducing quangos etc?
And the consultation list doesn’s give me any confidence that mister or missus ordinary farm worker knows anything about what is going on.


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