Rachel Reeves MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to today’s Labour Market Statistics, said:

“Today’s fall in overall unemployment is welcome, but the new figures show working people are continuing to see their pay fall far behind the cost-of-living.

“Working people have seen their real wages fall by over £1,600 a year since 2010. The Government’s failure to act on low pay has led to millions of people struggling to get by, huge additional costs in Housing Benefit and Tax Credits paid to those in work, and the OBR warning about the impact on the public finances.

“That’s why Chuka Umunna and I will call on the Government to adopt Labour’s plan to raise the national minimum wage to £8 during a debate in Parliament on low pay later today. This is an important part of Labour’s economic plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and ensure we earn our way to higher living standards for all, not just a few at the top.”

Ends