Almost 3% of UK workers have "zero hours" contracts, ONS reveals

The Office for National Statistics has revealed that almost 3% of workers in the UK are working on a "zero hours" contract basis.

The practice has come under scrutiny in recent times as some employers have been accused of taking advantage of workers by not guaranteeing a set amount of hours.

Sports Direct on Wednesday said that it would do away with the controversial contracts in order to improve working conditions for its staff.

In its report released on Thursday, the ONS said that the number was up to 2.9% from 2.4% the previous year.

As the jobs market attempts to recover from the financial crisis, the contracts have been on the rise from employers in an attempt to cut costs by only offering hours as and when needed.

The report also said that these types of contracts are most likely to be given to certain groups like young people, and women.

"Around one in three people on a “zero-hours contract” want more hours, with most wanting them in their current job, as opposed to a different job which offers more hours. In comparison, 10% of other people in employment wanted more hours," the report said.