Peter Kyle, the business secretary, has been asked to tone down the new plans (Image: Getty) The Government should not regulate flexible jobs “out of existence” with reforms which will scrap zero-hours contracts, retail industry leaders have warned. Last week, ministers laid out details for proposals which could ensure guaranteed hours for workers. It started a consultation over potential new rules which would require employers to offer staff on zero hours or short hours contracts a minimum number of hours each week on regular working hours. The consultation on how to implement the changes, which are due to come into effect next year, flagged that the Government would prefer workers to be guaranteed a minimum of between eight and 20 hours per week, if current contracts are at or below that level. More than 1 million people in the UK are working on a zero-hours contract basis – where a worker is not guaranteed a minimum number of working hours – in areas ranging from working in pubs and restaurants to warehouses and hospitals. Peter …