BRIGHTON MP WELCOMES RISE IN NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

Brighton Pavilion Labour and Co-operative MP David Lepper, who was a member of the Parliamentary Committee which dealt with the details of the National Minimum Wage legislation, has welcomed the increases in NMW rates which came in on 1 October.

Following the recommendation of the independent Low Pay Commission, the Government increased the national minimum wage to £5.35 per hour, benefiting 1.3 million people nationally.  The 18-21 year old rate increased to £4.45 per hour and for 16-17 year olds to £3.30 per hour.

David Lepper says:

“Day after day when the legislation was going through Parliament I remember how the Tories tried to undermine the regulations and then voted against this important right to a basic minimum.

“They said it would cause economic ruin and mass unemployment. In fact, we now have employment 2.4 million higher than in 1997 – close to record levels.  Unemployment is close to its lowest for around 30 years.

“The NMW has been really vital in the South East and especially in Brighton and Hove where so many people work in the catering and hospitality industry. Across the region 120,000 people will benefit from this increase.

“It is also important that having brought in the national minimum wage Labour has gone on to introduce laws to help people also balance their work and family life.

“Anyone who believes they should be getting at least the NMW and isn’t can get advice from the national helpline on 0845 600 0678.”