Number of UK workers on zero-hours contracts hits record high ahead of crackdown
5 hours ago
- #employment rights
- #zero-hours contracts
- #Labour policy
- Number of workers on zero-hours contracts hits a record high of 1.23 million in December.
- A 91,000 increase from the previous year, driven by 16-to-24-year-olds and non-full-time education workers.
- Labour plans to ban 'exploitative' zero-hours contracts as part of the Employment Rights Act, expected next year.
- Critics argue zero-hours contracts lead to unpredictable schedules and financial instability for workers.
- Young workers are five times more likely to be on zero-hours contracts; women make up 54% of such workers.
- 32.8% of zero-hours contractors rely on them for full-time work, with many seeking additional hours or jobs.
- Workers will gain rights to guaranteed hours, reasonable schedule notice, and compensation for cancelled shifts.
- Trade unions urge swift implementation of the Employment Rights Act to address insecure work conditions.