Work and Families Bill

It depends how one interprets those words. [Laughter.] My interpretation is that my right hon. Friend agrees with all that I have said during the passage of this Bill and, I hope, with all that I am about to say on Third Reading. As I said on Report, it is idealistic to suggest that a work force will be happy and able to do their jobs to the very best of their ability, if they do not have to worry about what is going on in the rest of their lives while they are at work. If, however, a person goes to work knowing that they can leave work if someone for whom they are caring at home—a small child, someone who is ill or an elderly relative—needs them, then they will work better and form part of a better work force. Employers will be happier with how their employees are functioning, if their employees can get on with their work without anxiety about trying to balance work and family life—that said, mothers and fathers who go to work will always have some anxiety about their children or elderly relatives, so perhaps I am being idealistic. However, I am trying to convince the Secretary of State that I entirely agree with his remarks about the importance of flexibility and the work-life balance, which make for a better, more efficient work force. If the Bill works as intended, it will be good for not only society, but the economy—the economic imperative.