Pimlico Plumbers boss says public would ‘crawl across snow naked’ for vaccine as he introduces ‘no jab, no job’ policy
Businessman says new potential employees will be turned away if they refuse inoculation against coronavirus
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Your support makes all the difference.Pimlico Plumbers boss Charlie Mullins has claimed the British public would currently “crawl across snow naked” to get a coronavirus vaccine as he defended his company’s “no jab, no job” policy.
The businessman said his lawyers had already approved the rule, which will see potential new workers refused employment if they have not had a Covid-19 vaccination once one is publicly available.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We’ve obviously been talking to our lawyers and they are very happy that we can add this proposal to any new workers that start with us once the vaccine is rolled out.
“We’ll be using the new contracts two to three months from now.
“When people come along for a job with us, if they’re not happy to sign that then again that’s their choice but they certainly won’t be given a job with Pimlico Plumbers.
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“We are in regular contact with our staff from our HR department and I think people would crawl across the snow naked to get a vaccine at the moment.”
Mr Mullins on Wednesday told Channel 4 News his lawyers were “very happy” with the new contracts, adding: “They say it's legal under health and safety laws and we have an obligation to protect our staff and our customers.”
Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK's largest care home provider, has also said it will not hire new staff who have refused jabs on non-medical grounds.
The group, which runs more than 200 care homes, last month said it would adopt the policy because of the vulnerability of its residents.
However, the prime minister's official spokesman has said getting a vaccine “is not mandatory and it would be discriminatory to force somebody to take one”.
Meanwhile, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has previously said it is “up to businesses” which rules they introduce.
His comments came amid reports some cinemas had begun striking private deals to use vaccine certificates to allow them to open their doors when the lockdown eases.
Additional reporting by PA
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