Employment Bill [HL]

To some extent, the Minister has tried to clarify the position on accommodation but I am less clear now than I was before he stood up. No doubt that is due to me more than it is to the Minister. He mentioned the relevant section of the National Minimum Wage Act. If it states what he said it does on accommodation, it seems to be at odds with the amendment. I do not understand how the two are compatible. I was concerned as to how accommodation, such as hotel accommodation, would be covered in the case of a trade show or conference that a voluntary worker was attending. The Minister has cleared that up: that would not fall foul of the new clause. But if accommodation expenses are excluded, how does that sit with what he said was in the National Minimum Wage Act? New subsection (1A)(b) states that the expenses must be ““reasonably so incurred””. Will the Minister clarify who will determine what is reasonable? In the light of his earlier remarks, I suggest that it would not be HMRC but its National Minimum Wage Inspectorate.