A lot of people have been contacting me this week about the Unpaid Trial Work Periods Bill, which is due to have its second reading on Friday 16th March.

As many of you may know, prior to becoming an MP I spent many years as a trade union official and have long campaigned for the protection and strengthening of employment rights. I therefore share concerns about the exploitation of ‘trial shifts’ whereby businesses can employ workers for up to 40 hours of unpaid work.

Despite constant claims by the Tories that they are the party of workers, they have repeatedly proven themselves otherwise. Only Labour can stand up for workers against big business.

At the 2017 General Election, I stood on a manifesto pledging to introduce a 20-point plan to enhance security and equality at work. The manifesto pledged to guarantee equal rights for all types of workers – whether part-time or full-time, temporary or permanent, and also pledged to ban zero hours contracts and unpaid internships.

I support the Unpaid Work Periods Bill and will be present for its second reading on Friday.