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  1. National

Record numbers on 'zero hours'

ITV News has exclusively revealed that a record 200,000 British workers are on "zero hours" contracts - jobs that have no guarantee of regular hours, regular pay or security. This is thought to be one of the factors behind keeping jobless rates down.

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'Zero hours' contracts explained

According to the Government's guidance to employers, "zero hour contracts" are usually for "piece work" or "on call" work.

This means:

  • They are on call to work when needed by bosses
  • Employers do not have to give them work
  • They do not have to take on the work if asked

According to Business Editor Laura Kuenssberg, "under the contracts, employers are legally allowed to employ staff, often in the lowest paid jobs, without any promise of actual work, or income, literally calling them up and summoning them to work or sending them home from one day to the next."

"Workers are often trapped in jobs with no security, no regular income, feeling like they have no choice but to be legally, at the beck and call of their employer.

"But for many workers, a "zero hours" contract can work extremely well, giving flexibility, and in some cases, relatively high pay."

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