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Lord Prescott: Cheap labour could be used at Olympics Lord Prescott: Cheap labour could be used at Olympics
(40 minutes later)
Cheap labour could be used to undercut better paid security workers at the Olympics, Lord Prescott has said.Cheap labour could be used to undercut better paid security workers at the Olympics, Lord Prescott has said.
It follows reports that volunteers from the government's work programme spent part of the night under London Bridge before Sunday's Thames pageant.It follows reports that volunteers from the government's work programme spent part of the night under London Bridge before Sunday's Thames pageant.
The firm involved, Close Protection UK, has apologised and said it was a "logistics error".The firm involved, Close Protection UK, has apologised and said it was a "logistics error".
Lord Prescott has asked the home secretary to investigate. Downing Street called the controversy a "one-off" and welcomed the apology from the company.
The Guardian reported that volunteers bussed in from Bristol, Plymouth and Bath had to spend part of Sunday night under London Bridge, one telling the newspaper that conditions were "freezing".The Guardian reported that volunteers bussed in from Bristol, Plymouth and Bath had to spend part of Sunday night under London Bridge, one telling the newspaper that conditions were "freezing".
They also told the newspaper that they had to change into their clothing - which included a plastic poncho for protection against the rain and high-visibility jacket - in public and had no access to toilets during the 14-hour shift.They also told the newspaper that they had to change into their clothing - which included a plastic poncho for protection against the rain and high-visibility jacket - in public and had no access to toilets during the 14-hour shift.
Lord Prescott said the home secretary should hold an inquiry into the conditions of employment by companies like Close Protection UK, who provided stewards during the weekend Jubilee celebrations and are bidding for contracts during the Olympics.Lord Prescott said the home secretary should hold an inquiry into the conditions of employment by companies like Close Protection UK, who provided stewards during the weekend Jubilee celebrations and are bidding for contracts during the Olympics.
'Logistics error''Logistics error'
Close Protection UK said staff should not have been dropped off at 0300 BST with nowhere to stay, but confusion had arisen because the coach driver was two hours ahead of schedule.Close Protection UK said staff should not have been dropped off at 0300 BST with nowhere to stay, but confusion had arisen because the coach driver was two hours ahead of schedule.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 4's Today programme, managing director of the company Molly Prince said it was a "logistics error" and the situation had been "exaggerated".Speaking on the BBC Radio 4's Today programme, managing director of the company Molly Prince said it was a "logistics error" and the situation had been "exaggerated".
However she confirmed there was an employee of the firm on the coach and said she did not "agree with his decision to allow the deployment of these people into the bridge area".However she confirmed there was an employee of the firm on the coach and said she did not "agree with his decision to allow the deployment of these people into the bridge area".
"They should have been left on the coach until this director arrived on the site with the other staff members," she added."They should have been left on the coach until this director arrived on the site with the other staff members," she added.
"It was badly handled and for that we've extensively apologised. We're not in the business of exploiting free labour," she said."It was badly handled and for that we've extensively apologised. We're not in the business of exploiting free labour," she said.
But Lord Prescott has written to Home Secretary Theresa May calling on her to investigate what happened and see whether there were wider implications for the treatment of workers during the Olympics.But Lord Prescott has written to Home Secretary Theresa May calling on her to investigate what happened and see whether there were wider implications for the treatment of workers during the Olympics.
'Victorian conditions''Victorian conditions'
The former deputy prime minister told the BBC News Channel: "My main concern is what we're witnessing here is the development of cheap labour in a model to be used for the Olympics."The former deputy prime minister told the BBC News Channel: "My main concern is what we're witnessing here is the development of cheap labour in a model to be used for the Olympics."
He said he feared that security workers on "proper pay and conditions" were being replaced in favour of "cheap labour companies" to work at the games.He said he feared that security workers on "proper pay and conditions" were being replaced in favour of "cheap labour companies" to work at the games.
He also raised concerns about the accommodation that could be provided for staff working at the Olympics suggesting "labour camps" were being developed outside of London to house the workers.He also raised concerns about the accommodation that could be provided for staff working at the Olympics suggesting "labour camps" were being developed outside of London to house the workers.
Close Protection said the unpaid roles at the Jubilee were a trial for paid positions at the 2012 Games, for which it also has a contract to provide stewarding.Close Protection said the unpaid roles at the Jubilee were a trial for paid positions at the 2012 Games, for which it also has a contract to provide stewarding.
The company, which is based in Wigan, said it paid for meals for all the Jubilee volunteers, accommodation on the night after the event as well as supplying their clothing, equipment and licences to undertake the work.The company, which is based in Wigan, said it paid for meals for all the Jubilee volunteers, accommodation on the night after the event as well as supplying their clothing, equipment and licences to undertake the work.
Ms Prince said steps had been taken "to ensure that better logistics planning will be in place for the Olympics".Ms Prince said steps had been taken "to ensure that better logistics planning will be in place for the Olympics".
The Prime Minister's official spokesman welcomed the apology and defended the government's work programme, which he said gave out-of-work people the chance to develop skills to get a job.