Menu
19/05/2014
Labour Pledge To Tackle Scandal Of Low Pay
A Labour government would "raise the value and restore the ambition of the National Minimum Wage," Ed Miliband has said at the launch of an independent report on low pay.
Speaking at the launch of Alan Buckle’s independent Report on Low Pay, Mr Miliband will embrace its key recommendation for an ambitious plan over the course of the next parliament to increase the National Minimum Wage so that is gets closer to average earnings.
Mr Miliband highligthed the key findings of the report:
• Mr Buckle’s report shows how the number of workers on low pay now stands at 5.2 million – one in five of all workers and one in three of women at work - up from 4.8 million in 2012 and 3.4 million in 2009.
• The cost of low pay to government finances is estimated at £3.23 billion. Poor enforcement in some sectors means that more than a quarter of a million people are still estimated to earn less than the NMW, while the UK has both higher levels of low pay and lower levels of productivity than many of our main international competitors.
• The report sets out a new framework for the Low Pay Commission, with a strengthened role in tackling poverty and raising productivity across the UK. It would be charged with implementing a five-year target and given a new role across sectors.
• The Low Pay Commission would retain the capacity to take account of shocks to the economy in the level of the National Minimum Wage set.
Mr Miliband said: "A Labour government will establish a clear link between the level of the minimum wage and the scale of wages paid to other workers in our economy. We will say workers on the minimum wage must never be left behind because those who work hard to create our nation’s wealth should share in it.
"This mission to tackle low pay will be in England, Wales, Northern Ireland - and Scotland too - because social justice is best achieved by working together rather than competing against each other in a race to the bottom on wages, tax rates and aspirations for our country."
(MH/CD)
Speaking at the launch of Alan Buckle’s independent Report on Low Pay, Mr Miliband will embrace its key recommendation for an ambitious plan over the course of the next parliament to increase the National Minimum Wage so that is gets closer to average earnings.
Mr Miliband highligthed the key findings of the report:
• Mr Buckle’s report shows how the number of workers on low pay now stands at 5.2 million – one in five of all workers and one in three of women at work - up from 4.8 million in 2012 and 3.4 million in 2009.
• The cost of low pay to government finances is estimated at £3.23 billion. Poor enforcement in some sectors means that more than a quarter of a million people are still estimated to earn less than the NMW, while the UK has both higher levels of low pay and lower levels of productivity than many of our main international competitors.
• The report sets out a new framework for the Low Pay Commission, with a strengthened role in tackling poverty and raising productivity across the UK. It would be charged with implementing a five-year target and given a new role across sectors.
• The Low Pay Commission would retain the capacity to take account of shocks to the economy in the level of the National Minimum Wage set.
Mr Miliband said: "A Labour government will establish a clear link between the level of the minimum wage and the scale of wages paid to other workers in our economy. We will say workers on the minimum wage must never be left behind because those who work hard to create our nation’s wealth should share in it.
"This mission to tackle low pay will be in England, Wales, Northern Ireland - and Scotland too - because social justice is best achieved by working together rather than competing against each other in a race to the bottom on wages, tax rates and aspirations for our country."
(MH/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 September 2011
Commission On Minimum Wage Visit
Two Low Pay Commissioners are to visit London next week on a fact-finding visit about the National Minimum Wage. The visit is one of a number of planned trips the Low Pay Commission is making around the UK during 2011 to "gather information on how the minimum wage is operating".
Commission On Minimum Wage Visit
Two Low Pay Commissioners are to visit London next week on a fact-finding visit about the National Minimum Wage. The visit is one of a number of planned trips the Low Pay Commission is making around the UK during 2011 to "gather information on how the minimum wage is operating".
26 September 2008
Funding Boost Of £455m For Equal Pay Claims
Funding of £455m will be awarded to councils in England to allow back payments relating to thousands of equal pay claims from women workers. In a move to speed up long-term commitments to achieving equal pay for all council workers, local government minister John Healey gave the go-ahead to 34 councils to raise the money through capitlisation.
Funding Boost Of £455m For Equal Pay Claims
Funding of £455m will be awarded to councils in England to allow back payments relating to thousands of equal pay claims from women workers. In a move to speed up long-term commitments to achieving equal pay for all council workers, local government minister John Healey gave the go-ahead to 34 councils to raise the money through capitlisation.
15 June 2009
Low Pay Commission To Consider Minimum Wage For Apprentices
For the first time the Low Pay Commission has been asked to consider introducing a new national minimum wage for apprentices. The request comes as the Government today publishes the new terms of reference for the Low Pay Commission - the independent body which advises the Government on the national minimum wage.
Low Pay Commission To Consider Minimum Wage For Apprentices
For the first time the Low Pay Commission has been asked to consider introducing a new national minimum wage for apprentices. The request comes as the Government today publishes the new terms of reference for the Low Pay Commission - the independent body which advises the Government on the national minimum wage.
12 May 2009
Minimum Wage Increases To £5.80 Per Hour
The national minimum wage is to increase by 7p to £5.80 per hour, the Government has announced today. The rate for 18 to 21-year-olds is to rise by 6p to £4.83, while 16 and 17-year-olds will increase by 4p to £3.57.
Minimum Wage Increases To £5.80 Per Hour
The national minimum wage is to increase by 7p to £5.80 per hour, the Government has announced today. The rate for 18 to 21-year-olds is to rise by 6p to £4.83, while 16 and 17-year-olds will increase by 4p to £3.57.
07 February 2005
Compulsory saving is 'pension solution', say TUC
Compulsory savings must be part of any solution to the growing pensions crisis according to the TUC. In a submission to the Pensions Commission, chaired by Adair Turner, the TUC has said that people need to save 15% of their income to provide a decent pension and in a new compulsory system employers should provide 10% and employees 5%.
Compulsory saving is 'pension solution', say TUC
Compulsory savings must be part of any solution to the growing pensions crisis according to the TUC. In a submission to the Pensions Commission, chaired by Adair Turner, the TUC has said that people need to save 15% of their income to provide a decent pension and in a new compulsory system employers should provide 10% and employees 5%.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Very windy with persistent and occasionally heavy rain at first, becoming drier with the wind easing towards midday. Mainly dry with bright spells increasing during the afternoon. Milder than of late. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
