Two years ago I reported on the hypocrisy of Labour-run Hammersmith and Fulham Council for employing staff on zero hours contracts. At the same time Labour councillors were denouncing other employers for using them.

So what has happened since? The Labour Party’s opposition is stronger than ever. At the General Election earlier this year Labour said in their Manifesto that “for too many people work is insecure” and therefore they would:

“Ban zero hours contracts – so that every worker gets a guaranteed number of hours each week.”

Yet according to the Council’s latest Workforce Data the number of Council staff on zero hour contracts has more than doubled in just two years to 1,262.

The Council could well argue that many staff welcome the flexibility of such contracts. But then private employers could make the same point. Whatever view you take Labour’s credibility on this issue is in shreds.