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A rogues’ charter - Citizens Advice verdict on employment announcement

23 November 2011

Plans unveiled by Business Secretary Vince Cable today to water down workplace rights protecting millions of British workers against exploitation have been branded a ‘rogues’ charter’ by Citizens Advice.

The charity’s national network of Citizens Advice Bureaux helps with nearly 600,000 employment related problems every year.  Most of those seeking advice are low-paid, low-skilled workers employed in small, non-unionised workplaces.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

"Ministers have said they want to create a level playing field that is fair to workers and decent employers alike. But tearing up employment protection will not stop rogue employers gaining an unfair advantage over law-abiding competitors by exploiting their workforce.

"Doubling the qualifying time for legal protection against unfair dismissal to two years will make the jobs of three million workers even more insecure than they are already. Together with the introduction of hefty fees to take a case to an employment tribunal, it’s nothing short of a charter for rogue employers."

Citizens Advice

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. For online advice and information see www.adviceguide.org.uk
  3. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.9 million problems from April 2011 to March 2012. For full 2011/2012 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
  4. Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable (nfpSynergy’s Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).
  5. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,500 service outlets across England and Wales.