Higher Education (Zero-hours Contracts)

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 7 November 2013.

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Photo of Nicola Sturgeon Nicola Sturgeon Scottish National Party

I think that I, the First Minster and other Government ministers have made it clear that we deprecate and condemn the inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts. In my first answer, I read out what progress has been made in the university sector—not enough; we need to do more—and action that the Scottish Government is taking through the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Bill. If Ken Macintosh or any other member has evidence that they want to share with us, I would very happy to see it, and would welcome receipt of it.

The area is another one in which it is easy to throw brickbats at each other. We all do that—myself included—but let us also try to work together sometimes. We all agree that the inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts is unacceptable, so let us agree to work together to try to do something real about it.