Construction union Ucatt’s campaign to kick scam “umbrella” companies out of Yorkshire is gathering pace, with many of the region’s local authorities eager to explore the bogus self-employment wheeze.

Ucatt regional secretary Rob Morris revealed yesterday that he’d written to every council in Yorkshire asking them to ban the swindling contracts, receiving “several positive replies” within days from council leaders asking for meetings on the problem.

Earlier this year, the Welsh government instituted a ban on umbrella companies which can leave workers up to £100 a week out of pocket through having to pay both employee and employer national insurance contributions and admin fees of £30 a week to bosses for the privilege of being paid.

Mr Morris said: “If the Welsh government can bar umbrella companies from their contracts there is no reason why councils in Yorkshire cannot follow suit.

“Forcing workers to be paid by umbrella companies is creating financial misery for thousands of workers. Councils have a moral duty to prevent this exploitation on their projects.”