In a major shift in Cabinet Office rules, Labour will extend the definition of risky behaviour to include failure on: equal opportunities, timely payment of suppliers, staff training, trade union recognition, environmental standards, pay ratios, or tax compliance.

Under Labour’s tough new rules to tackle rip off or risky behaviour by outsourcing companies in future contracts, if a firm fails in these areas they will be designated ‘high risk’, allowing the government to take back control of the contract, or forcing the supplier to agree an improvement plan.