Angela Rayner discusses workers’ rights plan with businesses and unions

In opposition, Labour had long promised to ban zero-hours contracts which allow employers to pay staff only when they need them, with no guarantee of regular hours.

Its Employment Rights Bill, announced shortly after the party won the general election, aims to scrap the contracts.

The government also says it would end fire and rehire practices where companies dismiss workers and then hire them back on worse conditions.

Another change the Labour government hopes to introduce include giving workers rights to parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal from the first day of employment.

During the election campaign, the Conservatives said Labour’s plans would burden businesses with regulation and reduce investment.

Unite leader Sharon Graham expressed concern Labour’s plan had too many caveats, with “more holes in it than Swiss cheese”.

A draft of the Employment Rights Bill is likely to be published in the autumn, providing more details of how the government intends to implement its manifesto promise.