A NORTH-East law firm has been invited to take part in a national inquiry to look at how the quality of working life can be improved.

Employment law specialists Eversheds, in Newcastle, will take part in the project by the Work Foundation to explore how the quality of working life and productivity in the UK can be improved.

Eversheds is the only law firm in the country to be appointed to the inquiry, launched this week by Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt.

Other businesses taking part include Lloyds TSB, Microsoft UK, AstraZeneca UK, Tesco and Manpower UK.

Simon Loy, employment specialist and partner at Eversheds, said: "We are delighted to have been approached by the Work Foundation to take part in this comprehensive inquiry.

"Balancing the needs of business with the need for employment legislation while boosting productivity is a key issue for the UK."

The company will report on the approaches to labour regulation adopted in European and US jurisdictions.

The panel will be led by a team from the Work Foundation, including chief executive Will Hutton. Margaret Wheeler, of public service union Unison, has also agreed to join the panel.