Carlisle lawyer to give evidence to House of Commons committee
Last updated at 13:30, Wednesday, 20 June 2012
A Carlisle solicitor will give expert evidence to a House of Commons committee.
John Morris, senior partner at Burnetts and head of the firm’s employment law team, has been asked to give his views on changes to employment law proposed in the Enterprise & Regulatory Reform Bill.
He will appear before a public bill committee of 25 MPs tomorrow at 9.30am.
The bill, introduced by Vince Cable, proposes changes to employment legislation including a compulsory attempt at conciliation through Acas before making an Employment Tribunal claim, caps to compensation awards for unfair dismissal, and a new revenue stream for HM Treasury.
John, who is also an employment judge, said: “There is not a lot in this Bill for workers to celebrate. I think the most damaging provision is the proposed introduction of a cap for compensation awards. By definition, compensation is intended to compensate an employee for having been unfairly dismissed.
“The suggested cap of £26,000 or less is not fair on anyone earning more than the average salary.”
John is one of only four solicitors to give oral evidence on the bill at this session.
The committee meeting can be watched live on Parliament TV.
First published at 11:28, Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Editor's picks
- Cumbria's superfast broadband delayed by EU red tape again
- Pirelli factory death probe ordered tougher safety measures
- Dangerous machines among H&S offences in Carlisle area
- Slurry lagoons and asthma causing chemicals among Eden safety issues
- Factory heat could be used to warm 30,000 Cumbrian homes
- Businesses urged to get behind university's new business school
- Cumbria sets up links with Chinese university
- Patchy broadband damaging rural businesses (4 comments)
- £4m fund launched to help Cumbrian firms
- City predicts parts of Stobart Group will be sold
More news
- Rail workers threaten ballot over ‘skimpy’ Virgin Trains uniforms
- Cumbrian firms missing the boat over apprentices
- Stobart Group boss hopes for flights from Carlisle next summer
- Cumbria LEP seeks commission members
- Profits down at Jennings Brothers owner
- Awards commendation for Cumbrian insulation invention
- Number of unemployed falls in Cumbria
BBC News business headlines
in-cumbria features
- Profits down at Jennings Brothers owner
- Workington store closing (1 comment)
- Fish factory axes 40 jobs after loss of key contract (1 comment)
- Don’t smash your caravan - sell to me!
- Revamp for Maryport Post Office
- Fashion designer starts gem of an online business
- More than 1,000 clamour to climb in Maryport
- Stobart Group aiming to start flights to Carlisle Airport as profits rise
- Awards commendation for Cumbrian insulation invention
- Number of unemployed falls in Cumbria
- Barrow's Mr Universe’ inspired family to take a healthy view of life
- Walney's Hannah chops her 14½-inch locks for less fortunate kids
- 100s of women Furness walk to remember
- North Cumbrian village’s post office to close due to changes
- Carlisle family’s mission to build lasting legacy
- Fears lives being put at risk at Carlisle hospital
- Two-thirds don’t feel safe at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary
- Plans for 1,000-staff Cumbria council headquarters still on table
- Fire crews praised over Penrith chip shop blaze
- Music night in Carlisle to raise disease awareness and cash




Investment to increase capacity at Carlisle’s Lanes shopping centre is on the cards following a change of ownership.
What brought one of the most advanced performance management systems to Cumbria?
Cumbria business women make waves on the west coast