Nadhim Zahawi brands Pimlico Plumbers’ boss Charlie Mullins ‘discriminatory’ over Covid jab rule

The vaccine roll-out minister accused a company boss of ‘discriminatory’ practices today after he insisted that he would not employ people who did not get a coronavirus vaccine.

Charlie Mullins, the high profile founder of pipe-unblocking giant Pimlico Plumbers said he would insist his staff had the jab to protect his workers and customers.

But Nadhim Zahawi insisted this morning that the injection should be handed out on a voluntary basis, with no Government plans to make it compulsory.   

It also emerged today that as much as a fifth (21 per cent) of care home staff working for one provider have declined to take the vaccine.

When asked about Pimlico Plumbers’ policy, Mr Zahawi replied: ‘I think that is discriminatory.’

He added: ‘We’re not that sort of country and I think it’s important we do it by persuasion.’

Charlie Mullins, the high profile founder of pipe-unblocking giant Pimlico Plumbers said he would insist his staff had the jab to protect his workers and customers

But Nadhim Zahawi insisted this morning that the injection should be handed out on a voluntary basis, with no Government plans to make it compulsory.

Speaking to LBC Radio, Mr Mullins said: ‘It’s an employer’s right to protect and look after their employees.’

He said he would not put staff and customers at risk unnecessarily, and that in future the company would not be taking on anybody that had not been vaccinated.

After the minister’s intervention he said: ‘I like Vaccine Minister Nadim Zahawi, but if ”jab for a job” is discriminatory, then what about his Government’s ”no test no touchdown” policy?

‘The government’s refusal to let anyone into the country without a negative Covid test – and that’s for UK citizens or foreigners – is a bit of a kettle and pot situation I think.

‘Nadhim’s got us all wrong, but for the record I still think what the government are doing is right – just like our plans! The virus is a killer and if you don’t take it on face to face it’s all over.’

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Zahawi said the Government still favoured persuasion over force.

‘I think, as the Prime Minister has said, we’re not the sort of country that forces people to take vaccines, we want to do it by persuasion.’ 

Mr Zahawi said he was ‘very confident’ that the Government would reach its vaccination targets through persuasion, citing a recent poll indicating the UK has the second-highest vaccine take up in the world.

He said this was due to the fact the health service ‘is seen to be transparent’ about the process and the risks.

Data obtained by the PA news agency shows between 5 per cent and 21 per cent of care home staff offered a vaccine have declined it.

One large UK care home group, which asked to remain anonymous, said more than half of residents and 36.8 per cent of staff have had at least one dose as of January 14.

However, 21 per cent of staff and 2.7 per cent of residents offered the vaccine had chosen not to take it up, with data suggesting that younger workers were more likely to be hesitant.

There is currently no centralised data from the NHS or Government on how many care home residents and staff have been given the vaccine, and how many have refused a jab.

However, Boris Johnson said on Friday that almost 40 per cent of elderly residents have been vaccinated.

Nadra Ahmed, from the National Care Association (NCA), said there has been a reduction in refusals following a strong push from providers to address fears and anxieties.

She said information from members and other industry bodies suggests around 6 per cent-8 per cent of care staff still remain nervous or resistant due to health and cultural reasons, down from 18 per cent-20 per cent at the start of the rollout.

But she said many are now being persuaded as they see colleagues get the jab, while the NCA is seeking legal advice on whether care workers could be forced to take the jab.

As of January 14, 47 per cent of residents and 37 per cent of staff in the 200-plus homes run by Barchester Healthcare had been given at least one dose of one of the approved vaccines.

It is understood that 5 per cent of staff offered a jab have refused it.

The figure for staff refusals at Sunrise Senior Living and Gracewell Healthcare’s 46 care homes is around 8 per cent of those offered, and just 1 per cent for residents, with more than half of residents now vaccinated.