Rachel Reeves MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report on poverty and social exclusion, said:

“David Cameron’s failure to deliver a recovery that works for all working families has led to rising levels of low pay and job insecurity. People are working all the hours they can but are struggling to make ends meet in low paid jobs. This means taxpayers are spending billions more on in-work housing benefits and tax credits. It’s another example of Tory Welfare Waste, with the failure to tackle the root causes of social security spending pushing up bills.

“Labour will get a grip of low pay and Tory Welfare Waste by raising the minimum wage, giving incentives to businesses to pay a Living Wage, boosting the number of apprentices, banning exploitative zero hour contracts and building an economy that works for everyone.”

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