Bosses hit back after Corbyn singles out ‘bad employers’

JEREMY CORBYN sparked a backlash last night after singling out five of the largest companies operating in Britain in another attack on big business.

Mr Corbyn accused Asda, Amazon, Sports Direct, Uber and cleaning firm ISS of being “bad employers”, pointing out what he saw as bad practices.

But the firms’ bosses hit back at the claims, saying they drive innovation, create wealth and pay taxes that are vital to maintaining public services.

The five employ more than 250,000 people and generate more than £37 billion of revenue, much of which is paid out in wages, and contribute at least £195million of corporation tax.

The Confederation of British Industry said: “Where business actions fall beneath what’s expected, naming and shaming can be a worthwhile enforcement tool. It becomes devalued when used unfairly as a broad-brush attack on the vast majority of firms which are a force for good.”

Asda was singled out over new contracts that created unpaid breaks and compulsory bank holiday working.

Labour highlighted the company rather than rival grocers after its dispute featured in the headlines – even though the firm was in fact the last among several big chains to change working rules.

Labour claims staff were told that they would not be paid for sick leave until they signed the new contract, an allegation denied by Asda.

‘Corbyn is once again playing old-fashioned, divisive class politics. It reeks of desperation’

Amazon said: “These claims are false and, despite sharing the facts with the Labour Party on numerous occasions, they’ve chosen to ignore them.”

Sports Direct branded the Labour leader “clueless”, while ISS rejected the claims, saying it was a “responsible employer”. Matthew Lesh, of the pro-free market Adam Smith Institute, said: “Corbyn is once again playing old-fashioned, divisive class politics. At this point in the campaign, it reeks of desperation.”