MPs to question Vodafone on ‘unjust’ treatment of store franchise owners

Parliamentary scrutiny follows claims that commercial agreements put the mental health of shopkeepers at risk

Vodafone executives will next month meet MPs scrutinising the company’s treatment of scores of business owners running its stores.

The move follows claims reported by the Guardian last week of suicide and attempted suicide by people who had agreed deals to run outlets for the £18bn telecoms company. The report led to suggestions that the government might consider new laws to correct the power imbalance in franchise agreements.