Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people in each age group in (a) Leigh constituency and (b) Greater Manchester are employed on a zero-hours contract.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

Zero hours contracts do have a part to play in a modern, flexible labour market – because, for a small proportion of the workforce, that may be the kind of contract that is right for them. On average, people on zero hour contracts work 25 hours a week and nearly 70 per cent of people on zero hours contracts do not want more hours, according to ONS figures. I would note that many Labour councils have used such contracts.

Notwithstanding, the Government's review of modern employment practices (chaired by Matthew Taylor) will consider zero hour contracts and make recommendations about how to maintain flexibility while supporting job security, workplace rights, opportunities for progression and representation for the growing number of people who do not have traditional employment relationships.