Record number of zero-hours contracts since Labour took power
New figures show a record number of zero-hours contracts have been issued since the Labour government came to power, raising concerns about job security.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Record rise in zero-hours contracts under Labour
The number of people on zero-hours contracts has risen to a record high, despite Labour's pre-election promise to ban them. New figures show 1.24 million people are now employed on such arrangements, up 207,000 since July 2024 when the party came to power.
Labour had pledged to ban all zero-hours contracts but later narrowed that to only outlawing what it called "exploitative" ones. A consultation is still running, with changes expected early next year. The current plans would give workers the right to a contract based on their average hours over a 12-week reference period, require employers to give reasonable notice of shifts, and pay compensation if shifts are cancelled at short notice.
The hospitality industry has warned the changes could be devastating. Seasonal businesses say they rely on flexible staff during peaks and that the plans could push up youth unemployment. The Trades Union Congress, however, has called that scaremongering and urged the prime minister to press on.
Workers describe the uncertainty as stressful. One supply teacher, who asked not to be named, said she waits by the phone each day and has lost money when shifts are cancelled. A student said the unpredictable hours affected her studies and mental wellbeing.
A cabinet ally of the prime minister said stronger protections are widely supported and that the government is working with businesses to ensure young people can still be hired. The prime minister, Andy Burnham, is a regular pub goer, and hospitality firms are hoping he will soften the plans.
On screen
Stills are sampled automatically at 60-second intervals. Where shown, the still is the nearest available frame from the relevant broadcast segment and is included to show what was on screen during that part of the broadcast. A still may not correspond to the exact second of a quoted phrase.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| A cabinet ally said stronger protections for workers are widely supported. | |
| Labour's original pledge to ban all zero-hours contracts was changed to only outlaw exploitative ones. | |
| The government's current plan includes giving workers the right to a contract based on hours over a 12-week reference period, reasonable notice for shifts, and compensation for short-notice cancellations. | |
| The hospitality industry warned the changes could be devastating and increase youth unemployment. | |
| The TUC urged the PM to ignore what it called scaremongering from the hospitality industry. | |
| There are 1.24 million people on zero-hours arrangements, up 207,000 since Labour took power in July 2024. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This bulletin focused on the broken promise and the stark rise in numbers, using the student April's experience to illustrate the human cost. It gave prominent space to the hospitality industry's warning, framing the government's plans as a threat to flexible working and youth employment. The tone was factual but with a clear sense of contradiction between Labour's pledge and current reality.
- “We'll ban zero-hour contracts.”
- “But with Labour now in government, zero-hours contracts have been banned. Now in government, zero-hours contracts have risen to a record high”
- “This will do exactly the opposite.”
This edition added a deeper human dimension through the supply teacher Sonia's story, and included a political back-and-forth between the TUC and the hospitality industry. It also gave a cabinet ally a chance to defend the reforms, creating a more balanced but still critical picture. The tone was more investigative and emotive, highlighting the real-life struggles of workers while noting the political pressure on the PM.
- “It's really difficult and devastating when they let me down. I spend like 20 pounds petrol going there with a lot of traffic in the morning and they still let you down.”
- “The Trades Union Congress is urging him to ignore what they say is scaremongering.”
- “For families that are listening to this, that idea that there are stronger protection for our workers is something that everyone supports.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.