Public sector may get say on zero-hours use

PUBLIC sector bosses could be allowed to consider the inappropriateness of awarding contracts to companies that use controversial zerohours contracts.

New legislation is being brought that aims to reform the way the public sector buys in goods and services.

Unions have criticised the use of zero-hours contracts, under which people do not know if they have work from one week to the next. Guidance being brought in as part of the Procurement Reform Bill could allow for the approach a company takes to workforce matters, such as whether they use such contracts, to be taken into consideration when assessing if they should be awarded a contract.

Similarly, public sector bosses could also consider whether firms use blacklist- ing or pay their staff the living wage, which is higher than the national minimum wage, when deciding who to award a contract to.

The Bill, put forward by the Scottish Government, also aims to make it easier for smaller companies and the voluntary sector to win work from the public sector.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the legislation promotes an approach that is “both business friendly and socially responsible”.

“Changes to p u bl i c procurement rules will ensure Scotland retains its place as a world leader in public procurement reform,” Ms Sturgeon said.

“This Bill will ensure that we maximise the economic benefit brought to Scotland from effective and efficient public procurement spend.”