GROUND ZERO

Labour and SNP trade blows over future of controversial employment contracts

- CHRIS MCCALL

THE SNP and Labour have clashed over the scandal of workers in Scotland stuck on zero hours contracts.

Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, stepped up calls for employment laws to be devolved to Holyrood to allow the Scottish Government to crack down on the use of "outdated" working practices.

It comes as figures show 109,000 (4.1 per cent) workers in Scotland are employed on zero hours contracts.

Ian Murray, Labour's Shadow Scottish Secretary, insisted his party would ban the use of "exploitative" working conditions if it won the next general election.

Zero hours or casual contracts allow employers to hire staff with no guarantee of work.