The clock's ticking on zero-hours contracts

A BAN on “exploitative” zero-hours contracts and “day-one” protections against unfair dismissal will not come into force until 2027 as the Government seeks to give businesses time to prepare for reforms.

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Ministers have opted for a “phased” rollout of the changes, which were a Labour manifesto promise, in order to balance safeguards for employees with “the practical realities” of running a company.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hailed the Government's flagship Employment Rights Bill, which is making its way through Parliament, as “the single biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation”.

Its measures include bolstered rights to parental leave, a crackdown on “fire and rehire” practices and the removal of the lower earnings limit and waiting period for statutory sick pay.