Business leader issues a stark warning to Labour over the party's planned ... trends now

View
comments

The head of a leading business group has sounded the alarm over Angela Rayner's flagship plans to reform workers' rights.

Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), urged Labour not to rush into the changes if it wins the next election. 

'To protect jobs and the economy, any changes to legislation must be proportionate, affordable, allowing time for business to prepare and be accompanied by robust guidance and support,' she said, adding that firms were already facing mounting cost pressures and needed 'room to breathe'.

It follows a chorus of concern from business leaders about the plans – fronted by Labour's under-fire deputy leader Ms Rayner – which would see workers given rights from day one in new jobs as well as a crackdown on zero‑hours contracts.

Labour's policies would also see it abolish all trade union reforms enacted since 2010, when it was last in power, and scrap Tory moves to restrict workers from going on strike.