Cable slams ‘hire-and-fire’ plans

Business Secretary Vince Cable has strongly rebuffed any suggestion that the Government will introduce measures to make it easy for firms to sack staff without reproach. Mr Cable stressed he has “no truck with the idea of a free-for-all, hire-and-fire culture” as he made clear his opposition to the no-fault dismissal plans proposed in Adrian Beecroft’s report commissioned by the Prime Minister. The Beecroft report proposed such a plan for businesses of more than 10 employees – a proposal Mr Cable has already labelled as “nonsense”. Mr Cable’s latest comments came during a second reading Commons debate on the Coalition’s Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, when Plaid Cymru’s Jonathan Edwards asked for “categoric assurances” that the Government would not use the Bill as a means to introduce a “sack on the spot” system. Referring to Mr Beecroft’s recommendations, Mr Cable replied: “That report contains many proposals, many of which are admirable and sensible and which are being implemented, but on that particular proposal we most definitely will not be proceeding as he suggests.” Our Employment team provides advice on the employment aspects of all major business decisions. For advice, contact a member of the team: call us on 08456 381381 or email employment@ibblaw.co.uk.