SELF-EMPLOYMENT IN THE UK CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Early day motion 1669, tabled 2 June 2008 by Michael Clapham (Labour). Signed by 72 members.

That this House welcomes the new report commissioned by the Union of Construction and Allied Technical Trades (UCATT) from Professor Mark Harvey which underlines that the major factor contributing to the casualised nature of the construction industry in the UK is the endemic level of false self-employment; notes that statistical evidence illustrates that in excess of 400,000 workers are falsely self-employed providing a vehicle for employers to evade paying national insurance contributions (NICs); further notes that the fiscal loss largely from non-payment of NICs by employers is estimated to be £1.7 billion per year; is concerned that the employment structure of the industry undermines the Government's attempts to create more apprenticeships, better training and a more effective safety and health culture; and calls on the Government to abolish the Construction Industry Scheme and replace it with one that distinguishes between direct employment and genuine self-employed workers.

Signatures by party: Labour 62, Liberal Democrat 7, Independent 2, Plaid Cymru 1.