Labour’s Sadiq Khan accused of hypocrisy over zero hour contracts
Share this @internewscast.com

SIR Sadiq Khan faced allegations of “rank hypocrisy” after it was revealed that City Hall employs workers on zero hour contracts, even though Labour intends to prohibit them.

The Labour London Mayor has attacked zero hour contracts in the past, saying they fuel instability and insecurity.

Susan Hall, Conservative party candidate for Mayor of London, voting in the mayoral election.
Tory Susan Hall accused the Mayor of rank hypocrisyCredit: PA
City Hall, London, viewed from across a body of water.
London’s City HallCredit: Alamy

But shocking new figures reveal his City Hall hired 32 youngsters on zero hour contracts in 2023-2024.

They are Peer Outreach Workers – employees aged 15 to 25 that engage with the public to help inform the Mayor’s policies.

Former Tory Mayoral candidate Susan Hall, who uncovered the statistics, expressed her frustration, saying: “Unfortunately, this is the kind of rank hypocrisy we have come to anticipate from the Mayor.”

She said if the contracts are “good enough for the Mayor, they should be good enough for all of us.”

Zero-hour contracts let bosses hire staff without being required to provide a minimum number of hours to the employee.

Businesses say this lets them hire more staff and also gives employees flexibility to pick and choose their hours.

Sadiq Khan at a Christmas lunch.
Mayor of London Sadiq KhanCredit: Getty
Aerial view of Newham City Hall in London.
London’s City HallCredit: Alamy

But critics say they are exploitative because workers are not guaranteed a basic salary.

Sir Keir Starmer’s government plans to ban “exploitative zero hour contracts” in their controversial new workers rights bill.

Although details of what the ban means in practice have been delayed for consultation.

Business chiefs have slammed the Bill, while the government’s own analysis has warned it will cost UK plc a whopping £5billion.

Some Cabinet ministers are pushing for the Bill to be watered down to save businesses.

However, Mr. Khan has urged the PM to disregard the “siren voices” and resist any attempts to weaken this legislation from those same voices who initially opposed the minimum wage.

A spokesman for the Greater London Authority said: “Peer Outreach Workers are a group of young Londoners who volunteer to engage and gather the opinions of other young people in the capital.

“This is a voluntary role and is not intended as employment. The GLA recognises and values the time that these young people give, and they are therefore reimbursed for it.

“It is for administrative purposes that their contracts are set up as such and this is longstanding practice that was also in place under the previous Mayor.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Woman Disc Golfer Declines to Compete Against Transgender Opponent

A female disc golfer took a stand and refused to compete against…

‘Minecraft Movie’ Dominates Global Box Office with $301M Opening Weekend

SUNDAY UPDATE, Refresh for Latest…: Warner Bros/Legendary’s A Minecraft Movie has come…

Everyone notices the joyful dog, but it takes perfect vision to find the error in less than 7 seconds

THIS puzzle may look like a walk in the park – but…

Phone Footage Challenges Israel’s Account in Killing of 15 Palestinian Medics by Troops

The footage seems to contradict Israel’s account that the vehicles did not…

Layoffs Jeopardize US Firefighter Cancer Registry, Mining Research, and Mask Laboratory Efforts

The layoffs are stalling — and perhaps ending — many programs, including…

After trying three well-known DNA tests, I’m now facing an identity crisis and found out my first crush is actually my cousin

Spending money to question my entire existence? Sign me up! I decided…

DOJ Places Government Lawyer on Leave Over Mistaken Deportation Case of Maryland Resident

Abrego Garcia’s mistaken deportation has outraged many and raised concerns about expelling…

Protesters Rally Against Trump and Musk in Nationwide ‘Hands Off!’ Events

So-called Hands Off! demonstrations were organized for more than 1,200 locations in…

Glen Powell Receives Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Complete Endorsement for ‘Running Man’ Remake

Before taking on his latest role, Glen Powell got the thumb’s-up from…

LA County Enlists McChrystal Group, Known for Anti-Trump Views, for Community Feedback

Los Angeles County has hired a consulting firm associated with anti-Trump retied…

Texas Teen Entrepreneur Launches Successful Egg Selling Business

WOLFFORTH, Texas — Gunner Claybrook, a 17-year-old high school junior at Frenship…

Widow of slain Jason Hennessy Snr faces court for allegedly unleashing XL Bully on officers during drug investigation

The widow of Jason Hennessy Snr, who was shot dead in a…