CIVIL Service union PCS leader Mark Serwotka called yesterday for an end to zero-hours contracts as a study revealed that one-third of public-sector workers are surviving on fluctuating income.

A survey of over 10,000 civil servants and council workers found that 45 per cent are borrowing cash to meet day-to-day financial needs. Among 25 to 34-year-olds, the figure was 57 per cent.

The study, carried out by pollsters Opinium for financial advisers Neyber, also found 33 per cent of workers cite finance worries as their biggest concern.

Thirty-three per cent of the workforce found their income fluctuating by more than 10 per cent each month.

Neyber credited this to an “increase in so-called zero-hours contracts,” saying the arrangement was “undermining financial wellbeing of government and local authorities.”

Mr Serwotka said: “Zero-hours contracts are a blight on workplaces across the UK.

“Workers on low pay and insecure contracts struggle to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads.

“More and more people are being forced to rely on foodbanks to survive.

“The next government should make the abolition of zero-hours contracts a priority, along with lifting the ongoing public-sector pay cap, to give public-sector workers greater financial security.”

The Star reported yesterday that the forthcoming government-commissioned review into working arrangements was likely to recommend a “right” to request fixed hours.

Trade unions said this would amount to “close to zero action on zero-hours contracts.”