The number of workers on zero-hours contracts has increased by 104,000 to 801,000. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that 2.5 per cent of the employed UK workforce were on zero-hours contracts in the quarter to last December, up from 2.3 per cent in the same period of 2014.

The data showed there were around 1.7 million contracts that did not guarantee a minimum number of hours in November, confirming that many workers are on more than one zero-hours contract. ONS statistician Nick Palmer said:

“This latest figure is rather higher than the 697,000 people who said they were on these contracts in late 2014. “Though at least some of this increase may be due to greater public recognition of the term zero-hours contract, there’s also nothing to suggest this form of employment is in decline.”

People on zero-hours contracts were more likely to be young, part-time, women, or in full-time education when compared with other people in employment. On average, someone on a zero-hours contract usually worked 26 hours a week.

Around one in three people on a zero-hours contract wanted more hours, with most wanting them in their current job, as opposed to a different job which offered more hours. In comparison, 10 per cent of other people in employment wanted more hours, said the ONS.

Reuters