The Government's announcement that the notice period that companies have to give before making workers redundant is to be slashed has been described as a "kick in the teeth" by construction workers union UCATT.

From April 2013 companies making over 100 workers redundant will only have to give 45 days’ notice, halving the existing 90 day notice period.

Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "This is a kick in the teeth for workers. It is likely to increase the number of workers facing the misery of redundancy as companies will be quicker to fire workers rather than consider alternatives."

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UCATT argued strongly against any reduction in the 90 day notice period as it has proved highly beneficial in allowing officials to negotiate with companies to minimise compulsory redundancies.

The 90 day notice period also meant that if a company was in financial difficulty there was time to arrange for a firm to be sold or for it to receive Government support. The 90 day notice period also allowed for training and support to be provided for affected workers and the additional timescale made it easier for the local jobs market to absorb the losses.

Mr Murphy added: "The Government has yet again shown their complete contempt for workers’ rights. This policy shows that they simply do not care about workers who face losing their jobs through absolutely no fault of their own."

(CD)