In particular whether more can be done to promote effective consultation with employees over collective redundancies and avoid unacceptable situations in which people learn from local radio stations that they are to lose their jobs. We also want to explore the accusation that it's cheaper to sack workers in the UK than elsewhere in Europe. When our review is complete, we will consult on the next steps. Last month, the Government issued a White Paper, 'Enterprise, Skills and Innovation'. This included a proposal to put union learning representatives on a statutory footing.
Union learning representatives are a new type of union activist.
And there are currently about 2,000 of them in existence. Their establishment has been supported by David Blunkett's Union Learning Fund. They specialise in advising union members about the possibilities to develop themselves further through learning and training. We aim to provide clear rights for union learning representatives to have paid time off for training and carrying out their functions. Officials are currently working on a consultation document setting out proposals on the best way to achieve this.