Zero-hours contracts let employers hire staff with no guarantee of work, with employees only offered the hours for which they are needed - often at short notice.

Proponents have argued the contracts help support young people into their first jobs and offer flexibility around education or childcare.

But critics say zero-hours contracts leave workers facing unpredictable schedules, no guaranteed income and unable to plan ahead financially.

Labour's 2024 election manifesto promised a ban on what it called the "exploitative" contracts as one of its first policies.

It formed part of the government's Employment Rights Act, and is expected to come into force next year as a right to guaranteed hours for workers.

Under the Act, workers will also be entitled to what the government considers "reasonable notice" of their schedules and compensation for shifts cancelled with short notice.

Measures on zero-hours contracts are still subject to consultation and secondary legislation in the Commons.