Ian Murray MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment, responding to Michael Fallon’s call for small firms to be exempt from all protections for employees, said:
“Michael Fallon’s comments show just how out of touch the Tory-led government are. When families across Britain are facing a cost of living crisis, the last thing they need is yet more insecurity at work. The Tory-led Government should be making it easier to hire not fire, yet the number of people feeling insecure at work has almost doubled in the past three years.
"Labour would back Britain’s small businesses by cutting business rates for 1.5 million small shops, workshops and start ups and by helping millions of small firms struggling with rising energy bills through our energy price freeze. But David Cameron’s Government is only interested in standing up for a privileged few.”
Ends
Editor’s notes:
1. YouGov poll on insecurity at work last month: http://bit.ly/1cYEFwg
Findings include:
- The number of people feeling insecure at work has almost doubled in the past three years since the Tory-led government took office from 6.5m to 12m
- 40 per cent of working people - 12 million - feel insecure or less secure than 3 years ago in their jobs
- 40 per cent of working people are worried their job will become more insecure in the future
- Almost 3 in 10 people who are in work feel less secure than they did three years ago
- Half the working population believe economic policies of the present government were making them feel less secure.