The government has been called on to intervene in a row over labour at Carillion鈥檚 拢236m PFI hospital in Portsmouth.

Pat McFadden, the minister for employment relations, has been contacted by a local MP after the Unite union voiced fears over the use of agency labour at Queen Alexandra hospital.

The union this week called for a meeting with Carillion to discuss its concerns. These include health and safety issues, and the difficulties faced by skilled workers trying to find work at the hospital because of the predominance of agency labour.

Carillion said: 鈥淒etailed contracts are drawn up between ourselves and our suppliers to ensure that all people delivering a professional service on site carry the relevant qualifications.鈥�