Unions welcome ‘zero hours’ review

Business Secretary Vince Cable said he had asked officials to undertake work to “better understand” how the contracts work in practice.

“There has been anecdotal evidence of abuse by certain employers, including in the public sector, of some vulnerable workers at the margins of the labour market,” he said.

“Whilst it’s important our workforce remains flexible, it is equally important that it is treated fairly.”

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “With the tough times set to continue, now is the perfect time for the Government to be reviewing, and hopefully regulating, the increasing use of these exploitative contracts.”