Zero hour contracts "throw household budgets into disarray"

Citizens Advice has welcomed plans to ban clauses in zero hour contracts which prevent workers from taking employment with other companies. The crackdown on exclusivity clauses must be "a platform to tackle other big problems" with Zero Hour Contracts, says the charity's Chief Executive.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive, Gillian Guy, said:

"Flexibility in our labour market is important, but not at the cost of fairness. The lack of a stable income can throw household budgets into disarray, with people unsure of how they will get from one week to the next.

"We have called for a crackdown on abuse of Zero Hour Contracts and the proposed ban on exclusivity clauses is sensible and fair. With today's welcome news, the Government has built a platform to tackle the other big problems with Zero Hour Contracts. The lack of legal protection for people on this type of contract is unacceptable and leaves people denied their basic rights. There needs to be a commitment to ensure employers give people on Zero Hour Contracts important entitlements like holiday pay and sick pay.

“The two biggest burdens on family budgets, housing and childcare, are impossible to manage without a regular income. Today must be a first step toward guaranteeing all employees a decent standard of treatment in work."

-ends-

Notes to editors:

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.