Retailers warn zero-hours crackdown could threaten flexible and youth jobs

Retailers have warned that the government’s overhaul of zero-hours contracts risks adding billions to employment costs and reducing the flexible jobs relied on by shops and younger workers.
Business groups including the British Retail Consortium have urged ministers to rethink how the reforms are implemented, warning that the rules could remove employment opportunities rather than simply tackling exploitative working practices.
Under changes contained in the Employment Rights Act, workers