Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of people on zero hour contracts in (a) Ealing Central and Acton constituency and (b) the UK.

Zero hours contracts are an important part of the UK’s flexible labour market. They are useful where there is not a constant demand for staff, allowing flexibility for both employers and individuals – like carers, people studying, or retirees. For some, a zero hours contract may be the type of contract which works best for them.

Individuals on zero hours contracts represent a very small proportion of the workforce. The ONS estimates that 155,000 people aged 16 and over were employed on a zero hours contract in London in April – June 2023, representing 3.3% of people in employment in the area.