YORK’S political leaders say they will crack down on “zero hour” contracts being used by companies the city’s council deals with.

The contracts involve employees agreeing to be available to work when they are needed without working hours or times being specified. City of York Council’s ruling Labour group says this provides no job security or a guaranteed income and ending their use is needed to tackle poverty.

National statistics suggest almost 800 people in York could be on zero hour contracts.

Labour will table a motion at this week’s full council meeting aimed at ensuring the authority, as far as legally possible, does not allow their use by firms it buys from.

Westfield councillor Steve Burton, who will propose the motion, said: “The council does not employ people on zero hour contracts – we believe employing people on them is wrong and we are going to go further by exhibiting best practice in our procurement activity, ensuring we do not permit their exploitative use among the range of companies tendered by the council.”