A One Nation Labour Government will strengthen the National Minimum Wage - Ed Miliband
Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party, will today declare that the next Labour government will tackle the low pay fuelling the cost of living crisis by strengthening the National Minimum Wage.
Speaking at an open-air meeting with members of the public on the eve of Labour’s annual conference in Brighton today, he will describe how rising bills and low wages mean life is getting harder for millions of families.
Average pay have fallen in 38 out of 39 months since David Cameron became Prime Minister while the National Minimum Wage – one of the greatest achievements of the last government - has declined during the same period by 45p an hour in real terms - or almost £20 a week.
Mr Miliband will say the next Labour government will begin tackling the cost of living crisis and strengthen the minimum wage.
Ed Miliband is expected to say:
“One of the proudest achievements of the last Labour government was the National Minimum Wage, making work pay for millions of people.
But under this government it is losing its value. Almost £20 less a week for a low paid worker since David Cameron came to power.
That can’t be right. Of course, many businesses are facing tough times.
But does anyone here really believe that a big bank can’t afford to pay their cleaners a little bit more?
I want to send a very clear signal today: It is wrong that millions of people are going out to work, working harder and harder, and can’t afford to bring up their families.
The next Labour government will put that right. The next Labour government will strengthen the National Minimum Wage. The next Labour government will make work pay.”
Mr Miliband has today appointed Alan Buckle, Deputy Chairman at KPMG, to investigate how the role and powers of the Low Pay Commission could be extended to strengthen the minimum wage.
Mr Buckle, building on the work he is already doing for Labour on the Living Wage, will consult widely with employers and employee groups on ways to restore the value of the minimum wage so that it catches up with where it was in 2010. He will also look at which particular sectors can afford to pay more.
This measure, together with a commitment to scrap the Bedroom Tax and extend access to child care for hard-pressed parents announced last night, signals the start of a Labour’s “Living Standards Conference” in which the party will show how it will stand up for ordinary families and build a One Nation economy which works for working people.
Ed Miliband’s opening remarks at a Question and Answer session in Brighton town centre today:
It is great to be here in Brighton.
I come with a message for the people of Brighton and the people of Britain.
The Labour Party has listened, has learnt, and is ready to lead.
The next election will come down to the oldest questions in politics:
Whose side are you on?
And who do you fight for?
Well, today I want to tell you telling you who I am fighting for.
I am fighting for Neil from Rye.
Neil is disabled.
He has a specially equipped flat.
A second bedroom to store the equipment he needs to have a life.
David Cameron has made him pay the bedroom tax.
£700 a year.
Do we think that’s fair?
No.
I don’t think that’s fair either.
And I will tell you what else is unfair.
Neil paying the bedroom tax at the same time as this government gives tax cuts to hedge funds.
Top executives getting round tax through George Osborne’s shares for rights scheme.
And the Government allowing tax abuse in the construction industry.
We’ll close those tax loopholes.
And will use that money to fight for Neil.
The fight for hundreds of thousands of people across this country.
And scrap the bedroom tax.
That’s what a One Nation Labour government will do.
That’s a party fighting for you.
And I am fighting for all of the low paid workers across our country.
One of the proudest achievements of the last Labour government was the National Minimum Wage.
Making work pay for millions of people.
But under this government it is losing its value.
Almost £20 less a week for a low paid worker since David Cameron came to power.
That can’t be right.
Of course many businesses are facing tough times.
But does anyone here really believe that a big bank can’t afford to pay their cleaners a little bit more?
I want to send a very clear signal today:
It is wrong that millions of people are going out to work, working harder and harder, and can’t afford to bring up their families.
The next Labour government will put that right.
The next Labour government will strengthen the National Minimum Wage.
The next Labour government will make work pay.
That’s a Labour party fighting for you.
Abolishing the bedroom tax.
Strengthening the National Minimum Wage.
Improving childcare for parents.
That’s what I mean by tackling the cost of living crisis.
That’s what I mean by a government fighting for you.
And our conference hasn’t even begun yet.
And I am fighting for every person in this country who is facing the cost of living crisis that blights Britain.
It affects families in every walk of life.
Some people will tell you the interests of the low paid and the squeezed middle are different.
Well they are wrong.
Because for 38 out of 39 months under David Cameron, prices are rising faster than wages across Britain.
The gas and electric bill.
The train fare.
The weekly shop.
Petrol for the car.
Some people will tell you there is nothing to be done.
People have to just go through hard times.
Those with power saying to those without power that they’re not going to suffer but you are.
I tell you they are wrong.
There is always something that can be done.
If there’s the will.
But you won’t get it from this government.
Tax cuts for millionaires.
Tax cuts for Hedge Funds.
Tax loopholes for giving up your rights at work.
Tobacco lobbyists in Downing Street.
All they do is stand up for the privileged few.
The Tories think an economy succeeds just with a few at the top.
We know an economy succeeds when we back the forgotten wealth creators.
The people who put in the hours.
Do the shifts.
Open their small businesses early in the morning.
That’s the way we tackle the cost of living crisis.
That’s how we will build an economy that works for working people again.
That’s how we change our country.
That’s how we build One Nation. Ends
Speaking at an open-air meeting with members of the public on the eve of Labour’s annual conference in Brighton today, he will describe how rising bills and low wages mean life is getting harder for millions of families.
Average pay have fallen in 38 out of 39 months since David Cameron became Prime Minister while the National Minimum Wage – one of the greatest achievements of the last government - has declined during the same period by 45p an hour in real terms - or almost £20 a week.
Mr Miliband will say the next Labour government will begin tackling the cost of living crisis and strengthen the minimum wage.
Ed Miliband is expected to say:
“One of the proudest achievements of the last Labour government was the National Minimum Wage, making work pay for millions of people.
But under this government it is losing its value. Almost £20 less a week for a low paid worker since David Cameron came to power.
That can’t be right. Of course, many businesses are facing tough times.
But does anyone here really believe that a big bank can’t afford to pay their cleaners a little bit more?
I want to send a very clear signal today: It is wrong that millions of people are going out to work, working harder and harder, and can’t afford to bring up their families.
The next Labour government will put that right. The next Labour government will strengthen the National Minimum Wage. The next Labour government will make work pay.”
Mr Miliband has today appointed Alan Buckle, Deputy Chairman at KPMG, to investigate how the role and powers of the Low Pay Commission could be extended to strengthen the minimum wage.
Mr Buckle, building on the work he is already doing for Labour on the Living Wage, will consult widely with employers and employee groups on ways to restore the value of the minimum wage so that it catches up with where it was in 2010. He will also look at which particular sectors can afford to pay more.
This measure, together with a commitment to scrap the Bedroom Tax and extend access to child care for hard-pressed parents announced last night, signals the start of a Labour’s “Living Standards Conference” in which the party will show how it will stand up for ordinary families and build a One Nation economy which works for working people.
Ed Miliband’s opening remarks at a Question and Answer session in Brighton town centre today:
It is great to be here in Brighton.
I come with a message for the people of Brighton and the people of Britain.
The Labour Party has listened, has learnt, and is ready to lead.
The next election will come down to the oldest questions in politics:
Whose side are you on?
And who do you fight for?
Well, today I want to tell you telling you who I am fighting for.
I am fighting for Neil from Rye.
Neil is disabled.
He has a specially equipped flat.
A second bedroom to store the equipment he needs to have a life.
David Cameron has made him pay the bedroom tax.
£700 a year.
Do we think that’s fair?
No.
I don’t think that’s fair either.
And I will tell you what else is unfair.
Neil paying the bedroom tax at the same time as this government gives tax cuts to hedge funds.
Top executives getting round tax through George Osborne’s shares for rights scheme.
And the Government allowing tax abuse in the construction industry.
We’ll close those tax loopholes.
And will use that money to fight for Neil.
The fight for hundreds of thousands of people across this country.
And scrap the bedroom tax.
That’s what a One Nation Labour government will do.
That’s a party fighting for you.
And I am fighting for all of the low paid workers across our country.
One of the proudest achievements of the last Labour government was the National Minimum Wage.
Making work pay for millions of people.
But under this government it is losing its value.
Almost £20 less a week for a low paid worker since David Cameron came to power.
That can’t be right.
Of course many businesses are facing tough times.
But does anyone here really believe that a big bank can’t afford to pay their cleaners a little bit more?
I want to send a very clear signal today:
It is wrong that millions of people are going out to work, working harder and harder, and can’t afford to bring up their families.
The next Labour government will put that right.
The next Labour government will strengthen the National Minimum Wage.
The next Labour government will make work pay.
That’s a Labour party fighting for you.
Abolishing the bedroom tax.
Strengthening the National Minimum Wage.
Improving childcare for parents.
That’s what I mean by tackling the cost of living crisis.
That’s what I mean by a government fighting for you.
And our conference hasn’t even begun yet.
And I am fighting for every person in this country who is facing the cost of living crisis that blights Britain.
It affects families in every walk of life.
Some people will tell you the interests of the low paid and the squeezed middle are different.
Well they are wrong.
Because for 38 out of 39 months under David Cameron, prices are rising faster than wages across Britain.
The gas and electric bill.
The train fare.
The weekly shop.
Petrol for the car.
Some people will tell you there is nothing to be done.
People have to just go through hard times.
Those with power saying to those without power that they’re not going to suffer but you are.
I tell you they are wrong.
There is always something that can be done.
If there’s the will.
But you won’t get it from this government.
Tax cuts for millionaires.
Tax cuts for Hedge Funds.
Tax loopholes for giving up your rights at work.
Tobacco lobbyists in Downing Street.
All they do is stand up for the privileged few.
The Tories think an economy succeeds just with a few at the top.
We know an economy succeeds when we back the forgotten wealth creators.
The people who put in the hours.
Do the shifts.
Open their small businesses early in the morning.
That’s the way we tackle the cost of living crisis.
That’s how we will build an economy that works for working people again.
That’s how we change our country.
That’s how we build One Nation. Ends