A report in The Guardian revealed that an HMRC unit is investigating abuses of self-employment laws and agency workers at taxi and courier companies.

UCATT has written to Finance Secretary Jane Ellison calling for the unit to investigate similar practices in the construction industry.

Brian Rye, Acting General Secretary of UCATT, said: “The practices that the new HMRC unit are examining exist throughout construction.

“The Government’s commitment to take action is welcome. But we must avoid a situation where there is a crackdown in one sector of the economy whilst another is using the same practices but is untouched.

“If the Government’s commitment to force companies to properly comply with rules on employment status is genuine then construction must be a key priority.”