Politics
19:58, 11-Jul-2017
UK PM May looks to regain authority with 'gig economy' report
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Prime Minister Theresa May will try to wrest back control of Britain's political agenda on Tuesday by unveiling proposals to protect workers in the "gig economy" in a direct challenge to opposition parties.
May on Tuesday gave her first major post-election speech at the launch of the Taylor report, which marks one year since she became leader of the Conservative party.
May wants to signal that it is business as usual for her government after an ill-judged election gamble damaged her authority and threw away her governing Conservatives' majority in parliament, emboldening the main opposition Labour Party.
The review, compiled by chief executive of The Royal Society of Arts Matthew Taylor, calls for a new category of worker called a "dependent contractor," meaning that those Britons working for companies such as taxi app Uber and takeaway food courier Deliveroo would receive more benefits.
Good work is in the interests of good business and that is why employment practices must be updated, May said.
May said that a Conservative government will always be on the side of hard workers and good employers, adding that the government needs to balance the interests of public sector workers and taxpayers.
May will challenge her political rivals to "contribute, not just criticize" her plans, which reflects both her need for help to pass reforms through parliament and her resolve to press ahead despite questions about her future as leader.
(Source: Reuters)
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