Having been largely supportive of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) and its stated aims since inception, I feel this week revealed an over-zealous side to the communications element of its work.

It is important that the GLA does not get carried away by its own publicity and remains utterly responsible at all stages of its processes. But it would appear that the authority has fallen into the trap of corroborating a national media report - which unfortunately by nature has far less obligation to be factual - rather than follow its own nose and use the evidence available to its own office. The GLA issued its release on Monday, the day after the Sunday Times report, suggesting it could have put the facts straight if it so desired. Instead, it chose to tread a questionable and dangerous path.

The vast majority of people in every industry touched by illegal labour provision want to see this plague eradicated. What surely no-one wants to see is companies tarred with broad brushstroke allegations when scrutiny would clear them of responsibility. Mud sticks; before it is thrown, the facts have to be nailed down. Otherwise, the GLA is playing with the livelihoods of potentially thousands of legal employees.

On behalf of the entire FPJ team, I’d like to wish every reader a Merry Christmas. Thanks for reading FPJ in 2007 and we look forward to sharing a successful year with you in 2008.