Labour MP Mike Amesbury calls for end to “scandalous” fire and rehire

Mike Amesbury has accused employers of exploiting the licencing of fire and rehire tactics and is calling for a ban to the practice

Labour MP Mike Amesbury has called for an end to the "scandalous" practice of fire and rehire, where employers dismiss staff and then re-employ them on worse terms and conditions.

In a debate in the House of Commons, Amesbury said that the practice was "an abuse of power" and that it was "causing misery for thousands of workers across the country."

Amesbury cited the example of British Gas, which has been accused of using fire and rehire to cut the pay of its engineers by 15%. He said that the company had "bullied and intimidated" its staff into accepting the new terms and conditions.

The TUC has estimated that there have been over 2,000 cases of fire and rehire since the start of the pandemic.

The government has said that it is "monitoring the situation" and that it will "not hesitate to take action" if necessary.

However, Amesbury said that the government needed to do more to protect workers from fire and rehire.

"This is a scandal," he said. "The government must act now to end this abuse of power."