Vince Cable has ordered a review of zero hours contracts. Since 2005 there has been a rise in the use of zero hours contracts. For some these can be the right sort of employment contract, giving workers a choice of working patterns. However for a contract that is now more widely used, we know relatively little about its effect on employers and employees. There has been anecdotal evidence of abuse by certain employers - including in the public sector - of some vulnerable workers at the margins of the labour market. While it's important our workforce remains flexible, it is equally important that it is treated fairly. This is why Vince Cable has asked his officials to undertake some work over the summer to better understand how this type of contract is working in practice. Chester Liberal Democrats Chairperson, Mark A Williams, said, “Zero hour contracts may suit some people but for those that rely on that job as their main income it simply cannot be fair so I am glad that the Libdems in government are doing something about it.”