Employment has been a major theme in the run up to the General Election, with controversial zero-hours contracts and plans to create new jobs both featuring in the headlines.

The main parties have discussed and debated their policies at length, outlining details in their respective manifestos. Here we summarise some of the main parties’ proposals and what they are offering to voters.

Conservative

The Conservative Party are aiming for full employment in the UK.

To do this, they intend to cut the national insurance tax for small businesses to make it is easier for businesses to employ young people under the age of 21.

For young people who have been out of work for more than six months there would be obligatory training or work.

They intend to cut income tax for those on the minimum wage who work more than 30 hours a week.

They would also create three million apprenticeships, funded by a reduction in the benefits cap.

Labour

The Labour Party want to raise the minimum wage to £8 by 2019, while also ending zero-hours contracts.

They hope to create legislation to lower energy bills for small businesses.

Obligatory and guaranteed work would be given to young people who have been unemployed for more than a year.

They would make big businesses publish details of their gender pay gap, which is currently voluntary.

Unpaid internships continuing for more than four weeks would be outlawed, and they also want to double paid paternity leave.

Liberal Democrat

The Liberal Democrats wish to keep zero-hours contracts but ensure that bosses do not abuse their flexibility and exploit employees.

They want businesses to hire twice as many apprentices as they currently do and also aim to find a way of increasing the national minimum wage.

They would create national colleges that will provide vocational courses.

UKIP

UKIP want to ensure that jobs are guaranteed for war veterans.

They would make employees on zero-hours contracts eligible for full contracts after a year of working.

They would also allow employers to discriminate in favour of British workers.

Green

The Green Party wish to end public sector austerity measures, creating a million jobs in doing so.

They want to raise the minimum wage to £10 by 2020 and to end zero-hours contracts.

They want GPs to be responsible for undertaking “ability to work” assessments.

They also want the country to work only a 35-hour week, and end long, unpaid apprenticeships.

 

Macks Solicitors in Darlington have an employment law team who can provide you with legal advice and support if you are have a legal issue related to employment.

Macks’ employment lawyers deal with a wide range of employment issues, including discrimination at work claims, settlement agreements, and unfair dismissal. You can arrange a meeting with our employment lawyers in Darlington by contacting us on 01325 389800. Meetings can also be arranged at one of our offices in Middlesbrough and Redcar.