FAIREST OF FIRMS

Many small firms are putting big businesses to shame when it comes to pay and conditions, a survey has found.

An overwhelming 84% of smaller companies did not use zero-hours contracts.

And more than half were paying all staff the new national living wage before it was introduced in April, according to the findings from the Federation of Small Businesses.

Mike Cherry, its national chairman, said: “Small firms often play host to the kinds of supportive, flexible and family-centred working environments than can be found lacking in big corporates.”