Department for Business and Trade – zero-hours contracts
Ipsos and the Institute for Employment Studies are delivering qualitative research for the Department for Business and Trade to understand how UK employers use zero-hours contracts and other flexible working arrangements in workforce planning. Through 40 in-depth interviews with employers and recruitment agencies across sectors, the study explores the operational drivers behind contract choices, the role of agency workers and different employment statuses, and businesses’ anticipated responses to reforms under the Employment Rights Act 2025. The findings will provide practical evidence to support policy implementation, impact assessment and guidance for employers.