Labour unveils five-point plan to prevent repeat of P&O ‘brutal mass firing and rehiring’

Exclusive: ‘Never again should any company think they can treat workers with such contempt and be given the green light,’ says Angela Rayner

Labour has unveiled plans for laws to prevent any repeat of the P&O case, when hundreds of workers were sacked on the spot and replaced with cheaper agency workers.

On the anniversary of the sackings, the party said it will put it to an end to “fire and rehire” once and for all with a five-point strategy, including forcing employers to “properly consult and reach agreements” with staff on any changes to contracts.

The government is consulting on a code of practice for employers, but Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said ministers would not ban the behaviour, judging that it is still “acceptable in some circumstances”.