Leeds urged to protect builders

Workers’ rights: Leeds City Council was urged yesterday to ensure that workers on a £30 million council construction contract are not exploited by “umbrella” companies.

The Labour council has handed the contract to Shepherd Construction, which is alleged to use “umbrella” companies that exploit workers through bogus self-employment.

Builders’ union Ucatt Yorkshire regional secretary Rob Morris said: “It is imperative that workers are treated fairly and decently.”

Greens surge after TV debate spat

Politics: The Green Party reported yesterday that it had picked up a whopping 2,000 new members in just 24 hours, taking them past Ukip.

A spokesman said membership numbers had continued to “surge at an unprecedented rate” to over 43,829.

The party put the growth down to the current dispute over whether its leader Natalie Bennett should be included in televised leaders’ debates before the general election.

20,000 officials with entry power

Civil liberties: Campaigners accused the government yesterday of failing to curb the number of officials with the right to enter private properties.

Big Brother Watch said that 19,375 council staff have “powers of entry” into homes or businesses despite a coalition pledge to curtail them.