Eich cyf/Your ref

Ein cyf/Our ref LF/JH/0033/13

Public Accounts Committee Members

18^th January 2013

Dear Members,

You may be interested to see a copy of the information that I have sent to a number of individual AM’s in response to their correspondence.

Throughout the passage of the Public Audit (Wales) Bill I have been clear that it has always been the Welsh Government's intention to ensure that provisions in the Bill protect the interests of staff who will transfer from the employment of the Auditor General to the employment of the Wales Audit Office. To that end I have very carefully considered the representations made by Assembly Members and others, relating to the transfer and have discussed the matter with the Chair of the Assembly's Public Accounts Committee. 

I am pleased to advise you that yesterday I tabled an amendment to the Bill which will provide protection against unfair dismissal of an employee that is wholly or mainly by reason of the transfer or a reason connected with the transfer.  Furthermore, I have asked my officials to consider how, at Stage 3 of the Bill, further Welsh Government amendments can address and meet the concerns of the AGW's staff, their trades unions and the PAC relating to variations in employment contracts, trades union recognition and preserving collective agreements.

Your Sincerely,

Jane Hutt AC / AM

Y Gweinidog Cyllid ac Arweinydd y Ty

Minister for Finance and Leader of the House