PM Theresa May pledges to protect workers’ rights for those ‘just managing’ to get by
Smash-and-grab raid on traditional Labour territory with review aimed at helping workers such as the self-employed, freelancers, part-timers and those juggling multiple jobs
THERESA May wants to overhaul workers’ rights to protect those “just managing” to get by.
In a surprise move, the PM has hired a former policy guru under Tony Blair to produce a detailed report on modern working practices.
Downing Street sources said the review was squarely aimed at helping the self-employed, freelancers, part-timers and those juggling multiple jobs.
Laws could be overhauled to allow businesses like courier firm Deliveroo to train their riders despite them being self-employed.
The revolution of workers’ rights could eventually see holiday pay for freelancers introduced while enabling greater flexible working for a speedier economy.
Protections for staff working for up-and-coming firms like Uber and Deliveroo and employed as “independent contractors” with no entitlement to holiday, maternity or sick pay will also be looked at.
Mrs May laid out her plans to build a “new centre ground in British politics” – driving a further wedge through a divided Labour party.
She said: “Improving the security and rights of ordinary working people is a key part of building a country and an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.
“Flexibility and innovation are a vital part of what makes our economy strong, but it is essential that these virtues are combined with the right support and protections for workers.”
And she added: “The UK has one of the strongest labour markets in the world – with record numbers of people in work, and an unemployment rate almost half the EU average.
“That’s a proud record, but if we are to build a country that works for everyone - not just the privileged few - we need to be certain that employment regulation and practices are keeping pace with changing world of work.”
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Last night Chancellor Philip Hammond warned big businesses are “angering their consumers” by failing to cut executive pay or increasing workers’ rights.
The guru in charge of the review is Matthew Taylor, who worked for the Government for more than a decade, before quitting Downing Street as Tony Blair’s chief adviser of political strategy in 2007.
Currently the boss at the Royal Society of Arts, he will head up a team of wonks thrashing out the plans for change.
His review team will be sent the length and breadth of the country to find out how people’s experience of work affects their daily lives.
He said last night: “It is very encouraging that the Prime Minister, in one of her first acts, has asked me to chair an independent review to look into how we can best respond to the rapidly changing world of work so it delivers for ordinary people.
“New forms of employment have many advantages for workers and consumers but there are challenges and risks.
Flexibility and innovation are a vital part of what makes our economy strong
Theresa May
“We need to approach this issue with an open mind recognising that within our flexible system of employment the same type of contract can have a diverse range of impacts on the people who use them.”
Last night Seamus Nevin of the Institute of Directors, welcomed the review.
He said: “The technological revolution has allowed hundreds of thousands of new businesses to thrive and is transforming the world of work.
“It is important that the Government works to ensure our employment regulations and definitions are flexible, so that we protect workers and give them access to training and development, while still enabling innovation and enterprise to prosper.”