Ian Murray MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment, commenting on new Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development research on zero-hours contracts, said:

“At a time when families are struggling with a cost of living crisis under this government we have seen the rise of insecurity at work as David Cameron has made it easier to fire, not easier to hire.

“This new research confirms estimates that there are as many as 1 million people employed on zero-hours contracts, while Ministers still insist on using a discredited statistics which are far lower than this. It also highlights concerns on bad practice and exploitation, with one in five workers on zero-hours contracts saying their pay is lower than comparable permanent staff and 40 per cent not receiving notice of work not being available.

“While the government has failed to act, Labour would outlaw the exploitative use of zero-hours contracts.”