Work should pay fairly and offer a good standard of living, but for too many people that isn’t the case. No matter how hard they work covering the cost of living is hard. That’s why Labour introduced the Minimum Wage in 1999.
I left school at 16 years old and went straight into the world of work, building an early career as a technician through an apprenticeship and starting a family young in Oldham, and I know the effort needed to make ends meet, to cover the bills and all that comes with rising a family.
Today, the National Living Wage will increase to £12.21 per hour, bringing a £1,400 boost annually to 3 million people across the country. In Oldham alone, over 𝟕𝟎𝟎𝟎 people will directly benefit from this uplift.
Also included will be a 16.3% pay uplift for 18 to 21-year-olds, affirming that everyone, regardless of age, deserves fair pay and respect for the work they do.
Securing a real-terms pay increase for the lowest-paid workers will crucially ease the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis. Wages going up quicker than prices – that is the difference of a Labour Government.
We are a Government dedicated to ensuring work truly pays, and today marks a significant milestone towards achieving fair pay and driving up living standards.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 