WEAVER Vale MP Mike Amesbury has called on the Government to condemn the ‘deplorable’ fire and rehire actions of Centrica in a House of Commons debate.

Mr Amesbury, whose constituency covers parts of east Runcorn, joined a number of other MPs in signing a recent letter to Centrica chief executive Chris O’Shea.

The letter addressed demands by the company, which operates in Preston Brook, that staff sign new contracts, with the looming threat that if they do not agree – they will be sacked and rehired on new terms.

Speaking in the Commons, he urged Parliamentary under-secretary of state for small business, consumers and labour markets Paul Scully to condemn the practice and also write to Centrica, however he did not agree to do so.

“First it was British Airways, and now British Gas/Centrica has threatened thousands of employees with fire and rehire tactics, including a number of my constituents such as Wayne and Paul,” he said.

“These people have many decades of experience working for these British companies and our society.

“Will the minister join me in condemning the company’s actions? What action is the department taking to ensure that these deplorable approaches are dealt with? Write to them.”

The minister replied: “It is not acceptable for employers to use unacceptable negotiating tactics including fire and rehire.

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“I understand that it is a difficult situation for employees to find themselves in.

“There are commercial matters between employers and employees, but we expect employers to treat their staff in the spirit of partnership.

“In the vast majority of cases—unlike the ones that have just been outlined—employers do want to do the right thing, and there are processes in place to prevent abuse.”