With the election looming the Government are keen to secure votes from the various sides of the voting communities. One of which is, of course, parents. With the in mind the latest plans unveiled by Pat McFadden (Business Minister) is to improve the flexibility of the maternity and paternity schemes.

Details were posted in this weeks political monitor from APSCo….

Legislation to give parents more flexibility in how they use maternity and paternity leave will be introduced under new Government plans. (more…)

The APSCo political monitor this week reported from the House of Parliament, where further questions have been raised to Pat McFadden regarding the implementation of the AWD (Agency Workers Directive), otherwise known as the TWD (Temporary Workers Directive).

On one hand it would appear that the present government are keen to implement the directive before dissolution, which is in contrast to it’s pledge to refrain until October 2011. As usual when questioned on this subject, Mr McFadden demonstrated faster moves than Usain Bolt to avoid giving a straight answer. (more…)

It would appear that we are no clearer on when the Government plans to implement the Agency Workers Directive. The AWD continues to be ‘kicked’ back and forth amongst front and back benches like a warm up for FIFA 2010. Below is a snap shot of the Parliamentary oral ‘kick about’ from last week concerning the directive with what appears to be Pat McFadden (Minister for Business) doing his best to book a place in Fabio Cappello’s squad as Centre half. (more…)