PRIVATE EQUITY

Early day motion 2046, tabled 15 July 2008 by John Heppell (Labour). Signed by 76 members.

That this House commends GMB, Unite and Unison for joining forces with other unions globally on 17th July, to shine a light on the practices of private equity companies, including recent research which shows that one private equity firm alone, KKR, is responsible for 10,000 job losses in Europe in seven years; is concerned that buyout firms cost the Government millions of pounds in lost revenue, such as with the recent takeover of Boots where that company's tax contribution to the UK dropped from £130 million to nil in one year; notes that one in 10 private sector workers in the UK are employed by private equity companies, including those in household names such as Alliance Boots, Bird's Eye and Toys r Us; further notes private equity share transfers can avoid the Transfer of Undertakings of Employment regulations, with the workers concerned being kept in the dark as to future owners' intentions and not enjoying the normal protection on a transfer of employment; welcomes moves by these unions to assess whether private equity presents a sound and ethical base for pensions investment; and calls upon the Government to close the loopholes governing private equity regulation.

Signatures by party: Labour 70, Independent 2, Liberal Democrat 2, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.