Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what representations he has received from charities on the potential effect of backdated sleep-in shift payments.

Caroline Dinenage, Minister of State for Care: The Department regularly receives correspondence regarding the effect of backdated sleep-in liabilities, including from Learning Disability Voices and the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group, which represent providers of social care including charitable providers.

The Department has been regularly engaging with representatives from the sleep-ins care sector. My hon. Friend the then Minister for Care and Mental Health (Jackie Doyle-Price) and my hon. Friend the then Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility (Margot James MP) met with Learning Disability Voices on 20 July 2017. I intend to meet with Learning Disability voices soon to discuss their concerns.

Officials often meet with representatives of charities to discuss the historic liabilities relating to non-payment of the National Minimum Wage for sleep-in shifts.

The Government recognises the pressure that sleep-ins liabilities are placing on the social care sector and is exploring options to minimise any impact on the sector.

Hansard

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