THE managing director of an East Lancashire employment agency has taken his concerns over proposed government legislation to the top.

Richard Mellor, MD of Accrington-based Cummins Mellor and a partner in national agency Cooke and Mellor, met Hyndburn MP Greg Pope to discuss the forthcoming Employment Relations Bill. Cooke and Mellor supplies the hotel and catering industry while Cummins Mellor finds workers for local firms. Mr Pope, a Department of Trade and Industry whip, heard the company's worries about government proposals to scrap compensation fees when firms take on agency staff.

He promised to report Mr Mellor's concerns to Trade and Industry Minister Ian McCartney.

Mr Mellor said: "We have grown phenomenally in the last year and I was concerned these proposals could affect our numbers. We are an important part of the local economy because local companies are now paying local people.

"We've had wind that companies will no longer be asked to pay agencies a compensation fee if they take on staff. That would mean they could take workers off us for nothing after only a short while, which would be a bit harsh.

"I've got qualms about this, so hopefully, our views will be taken on board during the consultation period."

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