Firms sending call centres abroad are ‘mad’ says minister

Mr Grayling, in a speech to the right-leaning think-tank Policy Exchange, will set out the government’s priorities on creating jobs.

He will tell delegates: “We all know how frustrating it can be speaking to a call centre operator overseas who works from a set script but doesn’t get what your problem is.”

He will stress that it is hard work to rebuild the economy and create jobs, and take to task anyone who threatens to get in the way of creating jobs, such as European and health and safety regulators and work experience protesters.

“It baffles me that at a time when we face a huge jobs challenge across Europe, that someone thinks it is sensible for the EU to be spending time legislating to ban high-heeled shoes in a hairdressers.

“Don’t they understand that more and more red tape drives more jobs to emerging countries, and away from Europe? Creating new jobs should be absolutely at the top of the priority list for the EU and for any government in Europe.

“Any measure that damages employment in Europe should be set to one side. We cannot afford to do otherwise.”

Complaints

In 2011, banking giant Santander UK said it had returned all its Indian call centres to the UK following complaints from customers.

The UK’s third biggest bank said the move had created 500 UK-based jobs.

Mr Grayling also criticised those who “rail with outrage” against unemployed youngsters being offered the chance to do a month’s work experience with Airbus, British Telecom, UK Mail or Tesco.

How will we create 2.5 million jobs? Channel 4 News jobs report has been finding out.

“Slave labour they call it. Well that’s just insulting to some great companies who are helping young people get a job, not to mention the young people benefiting from placements by picking up the valuable skills and experience they need to get a leg up into the world of work.

“And there’s the union leaders who demand swingeing taxes on wealth creators and unrealistic pay rises and more protection for their members.

“We have to face up to some simple realities. Britain can only succeed if it fights against these outdated dogmas and faces up to the world as it is. The future is not about more and more regulation to provide more and more comfort and protection for our citizens.

“If we go down that route there will be no jobs for them to have.”