Described as 'one of the most significant pieces of employment legislation in a generation, the new act aims to improve security and predictability of working hours for employees on insecure contracts.

While the Government appears reluctant to support legislation governing gratuities in the service industry, it has pushed through sweeping changes in employment law.

The Government proposal to outlaw zero-hour contracts, low-hour and banded hours employment deals is to be welcomed.

A trade union is today calling on the Government to outlaw so-called "zero-hours" contracts.