Following P&O Ferries’ instant dismissal of nearly 800 crew members without consultation and replacement with lower paid agency workers, the government is taking action against employers that use the controversial practice of ‘fire and rehire’.

Having made no efforts to inform the business secretary at the time, they failed to follow best practice or do the right thing for their employees. As a result, Grant Shapps, as transport secretary at the time, introduced a nine-point plan including primary legislation to tackle these issues.

A new statutory code will crack down on employers that use controversial dismissal tactics.