We investigated the reality for people working on zero-hour contracts

By ITV News

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The number of people on zero-hours contracts in the UK has risen to a record high, despite plans to crackdown on their use, according to a report shared exclusively with ITV News. There are currently 1.24 million people employed on zero-hours arrangements, up by 207,000 since Labour took power in July 2024 with a pledge to ban "exploitative" contracts. Under a zero-hours contract, workers have no guarantee of any shifts and are only called upon when they're needed - often with very little notice - meaning many have no idea how much they will earn from month to month. Shifts can be cancelled at the last minute and workers are not entitled to any compensation, despite often already paying for transport and childcare. Labour had initially pledged - before their 2024 manifesto - to protect workers by banning zero-hours contracts entirely, before watering this down to only outlaw "exploitative" zero-hours contracts. Businesses, and some workers, say zero-hours contracts are beneficial

Tags: zero hours contracts, zero-hours contracts, zero hours workers, UK workers, workers rights, employment rights, labour rights, Labour government, Labour Party, workers rights UK, employment law, jobs, work, insecure work, precarious work, flexible working, gig economy, hospitality industry, hospitality jobs, employment