Zero-hours contracts: ministers’ detailed plans for ban criticised by firms and unions

UK government says it would prefer workers to be guaranteed between eight and 20 hours a week based on regular hours

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Ministers are facing criticism from unions and employers after laying out details of plans for a guaranteed regular working week as part of a ban on zero-hours contracts.

Under rules poised to come into force next year, employers will have to offer staff, including agency workers, a contract that guarantees a minimum number of hours each week based on their regular working hours.