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Brown faces agency work rebellion Brown faces agency work rebellion
(about 4 hours later)
Gordon Brown could face his biggest Commons backbench rebellion since becoming prime minister over a bill to give agency workers more rights.Gordon Brown could face his biggest Commons backbench rebellion since becoming prime minister over a bill to give agency workers more rights.
Over 1m people are employed through agencies in the UK, which means they do not get benefits such as sick pay. More than one million people are employed via agencies, which means they do not get benefits such as sick pay.
MPs are due to debate a private member's bill which aims to give them the same rights as permanent staff.MPs are due to debate a private member's bill which aims to give them the same rights as permanent staff.
About 130 Labour backbenchers support the bill but government opposition means it is unlikely to be passed.About 130 Labour backbenchers support the bill but government opposition means it is unlikely to be passed.
Job lossesJob losses
However, ministers have offered to set up a commission to find a compromise.However, ministers have offered to set up a commission to find a compromise.
The bill, tabled by Labour's Andrew Miller, the MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, also has the support of trade unions but is opposed by business leaders. The bill, tabled by Labour's Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, also has the support of trade unions but is opposed by business leaders.
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said it could lead to job losses and make the country less competitive.The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said it could lead to job losses and make the country less competitive.
In December, EU ministers failed to reach an agreement on legislation that would have given temporary workers, such as those employed through agencies, similar rights to permanent staff across Europe.In December, EU ministers failed to reach an agreement on legislation that would have given temporary workers, such as those employed through agencies, similar rights to permanent staff across Europe.
The UK opposed the proposals, saying it would damage the country's flexible labour market and hit jobs, but the legislation will be discussed again this year.The UK opposed the proposals, saying it would damage the country's flexible labour market and hit jobs, but the legislation will be discussed again this year.
The CBI warned that new rights for agency staff discussed by the EU employment ministers would cost up to 250,000 jobs.The CBI warned that new rights for agency staff discussed by the EU employment ministers would cost up to 250,000 jobs.
The union Unite is campaigning for equal rights for agency workers, saying there should be a "level playing field" with permanently employed people.The union Unite is campaigning for equal rights for agency workers, saying there should be a "level playing field" with permanently employed people.