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Childcare costs amendment mentioned in Parliament

Submitted by paddaniels on Fri, 04/04/2008 - 3:00pm.

Here below is the recent mention in Parliament of the amendment proposed to include childcare costs as reasonable expenses which don't trigger the minimum wage legislation. Hooray :-)

Photo of Sharon HodgsonSharon Hodgson (Gateshead East & Washington West, Labour) | Hansard source

The minimum wage guidelines have always recognised the special role of volunteers. Can the Minister do more to remove the barriers to volunteering that some voluntary organisations believe exist under the current minimum wage regime, without leaving the door open to the abuse of voluntary workers?

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Patrick McFadden (Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform) | Hansard source

My hon. Friend asks an important question, which many leading voluntary organisations have also raised with us. I am glad to tell her that the Government have tabled an amendment to the Employment Bill, which is currently being discussed in Parliament, to broaden the range of expenses that can be paid to volunteers without unintentionally triggering entitlement to the minimum wage. That will remove a hurdle to volunteering and assist volunteers, who may need help with, for example, child care costs. It is an important step to boost volunteering in the country.