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Taylor Review a “decent first step” towards a fairer jobs market says Citizens Advice

11 July 2017

Citizens Advice says that the Matthew Taylor review of modern employment practices includes many proposals which would help people currently at the sharp end of insecure work but says that enhanced rights and protections will require more effective enforcement.

Research by the national charity has previously revealed problems experienced by people in insecure work, including around the scale and impact of bogus self-employment and one-way flexibility.

Last year Citizens Advice helped 200,000 people with 340,000 issues relating to issues they were having at work.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive, Gillian Guy, said:

“This review is a decent first step towards a fairer jobs market.

“Tackling issues such as employment status and one way flexibility could make a huge difference to people currently struggling at the sharp end of insecure work. But to make any proposed improvements a reality the government must ensure effective enforcement.

“As it stands responsibility for enforcement is spread across a bewildering number of bodies, making it hard for people to know where to turn if they’re being treated unfairly at work.

“While the review acknowledges the need for better enforcement powers for agencies such as HMRC - we would urge the government to go further by creating a single Fair Work Authority which can clamp down on illegal business practice, making it easier for people to get the rights they’re entitled.

“Its also important that everyone is able to get redress for problems at work, capping employment tribunal fees at £50 would make sure that fees aren’t a barrier to accessing justice.”

In its submission to Matthew Taylor’s review Citizens Advice made three key recommendations:

  • The types of employment and people’s rights at work should be clear and transparent

  • The system of employment rights and protections should be accessible and  responsive, ensuring rights adapt to changing labour market practices

  • A broad and long term commitment by government and employers is needed to create stable and decent jobs.

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local Citizens Advice, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service 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 see the Citizens Advice website.
  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.
  3. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers.
  5. Local Citizens Advice in England and Wales advised 2.5 million clients on 6.2 million problems in 2014/15. For full service statistics see our publication Advice trends.
  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 service outlets across England and Wales.