Employment Bill 'strangles UK growth'

THE Government's flagship workers' rights overhaul will kibosh efforts to kickstart economic growth, according to company bosses.

- By Ali Lyon

They also believe it will lead to fewer new hires and more outsourcing of work abroad.

According to a poll by the Institute of Directors (IoD), 72% of business leaders believe, without changes, Labour's Employment Rights Bill will harm the Government's growth aspirations, with more than half saying it would have a "strong negative impact" on the economy.

The survey is the latest in a growing line of evidence of UK plc's reservations that the package to bolster workers' rights will pose onerous bureaucracy on businesses and leave them more exposed than ever to damaging tribunal claims.