‘Millions’ on zero hours contracts

The number of workers on zero hours contracts could be as high as 5.5 million, suggesting a “growing sub class” of insecure, low paid employment, according to new research.

A study of 5,000 members of the Unite union found that more than one in five were on zero hours contracts – under which workers do not know if they have work from one week to the next – earning an average of £500 a month.

The figure is more than five times higher than previous estimates and was described as “staggering” by the union.

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The study, by the social survey company Mass1, said to be the largest of its kind on the subject, suggested that the under 30s are more likely to be on a zero hours contract with half of respondents falling into the 16-30 category.

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