Jon Trickett, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary, responding to reports Sports Direct will offer their staff at least 12 guaranteed hours a week, instead of zero-hour contracts said:

“These are good steps forward from a company whose Dickensian working practices have shocked the country. I hope this isn’t the last word from Mr Ashley, and that we can look forward to further such announcements in coming weeks, particularly regarding warehouse staff.

“But we cannot rely on bad publicity to stamp out every instance of employers mistreating their staff. The Tory Government need to follow Labour’s lead and commit to banning zero hours contracts and other exploitative practices in the workplace.

“Surely modern employers value their workforce as their most important asset. We have launched Workplace 2020 because we believe that profitable and efficient enterprises in the 21st Century can and should have up-to-date personnel practices including the right for the workforce to join a union.”

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