ANGELA RAYNER: 'National Minimum Wage was a lifeline for me and other low-paid workers'
Like many Mirror readers, I know what it's like to graft every day just to cover the bills – but still struggle to make ends meet.
As a young single mum, I worked long night shifts as a home help on low pay to get me and my young family through the week. That's why the National Minimum Wage - launched by the last Labour government - was such a lifeline for me and for other low paid workers.
It put more money in my pocket and gave me the security and opportunity I needed to get on in life.
But after 14 years of Tory failure, stagnation and decline that's no longer the reality for millions of hardworking people across the country who simply cannot afford to get by.
This Labour government was elected a year ago on a promise to Make Work Pay. Which is why, within weeks of taking office we told the Low Pay Commission to consider the cost of living for the first time when setting the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage.
As a result, more than 3 million workers got an inflation busting boost to their pay packets from April, worth up to £1,400 a year. This helped raise living standards for the lowest paid who are the backbone of our economy. It also delivered a record cash increase for young people and apprentices – our skilled workers of tomorrow.
And today, alongside my friend the Business Secretary, I will urge the Low Pay Commission to build on this success by pushing even further to make a genuine living wage a reality.
We want to continue narrowing the pay gap for 18 to 20-year-olds as we move closer to setting a single rate for all adult workers in the years to come. This is our Plan for Change in action.
This our promise to Make Work Pay. But it doesn't stop there. This is a government on the side of working people. You are at the heart of our landmark Employment Rights Bill, now going through Parliament.
This Bill will tackle the low wages, job insecurity and poor conditions that working people face. It will bring stronger protections against unfair sackings, make sure workers get paid sick pay from day one, and stop you being threatened with dismissal for refusing to take lower pay.
And it will guarantee hours and make work more flexible and family-friendly – benefits that will support business by creating a healthier, more productive workforce.
Unelected Tory and Lib Dem Lords, cheered on by Nigel Farage and Reform are trying to block these rights in Parliament. But this Labour Government was elected by you to deliver them, and we will not let them get away with it.
These historic reforms consulted with employers and trade unions are pro-worker, pro-business and pro-growth. So, if you are in casual work without guaranteed hours, if you are working hard on low pay but can't afford the essentials.
Or if you want a country that is fairer for working people - then this Labour government is working for you. And we will keep on delivering.
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Telegraph
8 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Rayner pushes higher wages for 18-year-olds as Labour woos young
It comes as Labour tries to woo younger voters in an attempt to see off the growing threat from Nigel Farage's Reform UK Party, which is currently leading the polls. Ms Rayner set out plans last month to lower the voting age across Britain to 16 by the next general election – in a move she claimed will strengthen democracy. The Low Pay Commission will be tasked with setting out a path to lift the minimum wage for young workers to the full adult rate. Ms Rayner said the policy showed Labour was delivering on its promise to 'make low pay a thing of the past'. However, bosses warned that Labour was already taxing jobs for young people 'out of existence', with businesses already reeling from a £25bn National Insurance raid last autumn. Kate Nicholls, the chairman of UKHospitality, said another jump in the minimum wage for young adults would risk destroying even more of their jobs instead of helping workers. 'We understand the Government's objective of fair pay, but you can only have fair pay if you have got a job that actually pays,' she said. 'At the moment, those jobs are being taxed out of existence due to changes in the NIC [National Insurance contributions] rate.'
Metro
33 minutes ago
- Metro
The disability employment gap affects 16million - can the government fix it?
When Keighley Miles was at school, it was always assumed that she wouldn't be able to find work. 'Nothing was ever mentioned about career options or further education,' the 39-year-old, who was born deaf, tells Metro. 'I can't remember ever being told that I could do whatever I wanted, or anybody talking to me about what life would be like as a deaf adult.' It's no wonder that such a lack of support left Keighley, who lives in Essex, struggling to find consistent work after leaving school – a problem compounded by difficulties communicating. 'We moved from London to Essex when I was 15, and I didn't attend school after that,' she continues. 'It led to depression and left me feeling like I wouldn't ever achieve anything in life.' 40-year-old Holly Donovan can relate, never having a full-time job. Not because they don't want one, but because they cannot find employment that accommodates their disability. 'All I want to do is work, but there aren't enough opportunities for disabled people like me,' says Holly, who uses a wheelchair due to a childhood cancer which left them with chronic pain and a metal rod in their back. 'I'm stuck only living on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which could be cut under Labour's plans, while my partner has to support me because I can't bring any money in. I'm living in poverty, and I shouldn't be.' The difference in employment rates between disabled and non-disabled people is stark. At the end of 2024, the disability employment gap stood at 28.6% – a 1% increase from 2023. It's a breach that has remained stagnant at around 30% for three decades, and while Labour has promised to get one million people back into work, the workplace hurdles disabled people face are often complex. 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'School was something I had to endure rather than taking anything from and nobody taught me about reasonable adjustments, so I had no idea I could ask for them at work opportunities.' When Holly did get their first work experience at a pharmacy as an assistant, it was cut short due to physical pain. 'By the end of the first week, I just burst into tears because I was in too much pain,' they say. 'That was the point when I realised that I didn't know what I was going to do because my body clearly couldn't handle traditional employment.' Research shows that approximately 28% of UK workers use a hybrid model of work, splitting time between home and the office, and around 13% of workers are fully remote. While this may feel like a step towards workplace inclusivity, Holly believes that it doesn't address the base issue: without being able to gain meaningful work placement in the first place, it's nigh on impossible to secure a job – remote or not. 'How am I ever going to compete in a job market where I'll never have the same amount of experience as an able-bodied person of the same age? Last time I went for a remote position, I was fighting against 321 people; it's no wonder that I didn't get it,' says Holly. While the rights of disabled people at work are protected under the Equality Act 2010, many are unaware that they are eligible for support. For example, the government grant scheme Access to Work helps cover additional costs for employers and employees with health issues. In 2023/24, it supported nearly 50,000 people, but the system is under immense pressure. The average wait time for assistance is currently 12 to 16 weeks, with some waiting up to 30 weeks. 'Although it can be life-changing when it works well, delays, poor communication, and inconsistent decision-making have left many unable to access the support they need,' explains Sue Wray. 'In some cases, people have had to turn down employment opportunities altogether due to waiting months for the assistance they were entitled to.' Keighley is one of the scheme's success stories. When her second son was born deaf in 2015, she wanted to lead by example and show him that he could achieve anything he wanted, so set her sights on becoming a childminder. 'In past customer service jobs, I would lose commissions because I'd have to pass clients over to colleagues when I couldn't hear them – but then I met a wonderful lady who was a childminder who offered me a job,' she says. 'Around that time, I also learned about Access to Work and realised that when the time came, I could set up my own childminding business with the right support.' Keighley has since founded her own business, which provides communication support workers for 40 hours a week, enabling her to communicate effectively with parents. But, Keighley stresses, she only found out about Access to Work after meeting other deaf adults at a group for deaf toddlers and children. 'I came across it by chance,' she says. Another government initiative, the Disability Confident scheme, encourages employers to think differently; however, Jane Hatton, CEO and founder of EvenBreak, a not-for-profit career support service for disabled people, believes it 'lacks accountability and meaningful benchmarks'. 'Disability Confident rightly acknowledges that employers must become more inclusive, she adds, 'but data shows that those employers [who have] become 'Disability Confident' don't employ more disabled people than others, so the label is largely symbolic.' EvenBreak is one of the numerous non-governmental organisations making significant efforts to close the gap by collaborating with job seekers and employers to provide support and resources that enhance inclusivity and accessibility. Hamelin is another, and has launched an initiative called Ability Works to support autistic adults and individuals with learning disabilities in securing employment. One person benefitting, is Ederson Silva, 45, who had to start from scratch following an accident that made him a wheelchair user. As the main provider for his family, Ederson had to return to work because even after 30 years of pension contributions, the support provided wouldn't cover the basic needs of his family. However, he tells Metro, he found it challenging to convince recruiters and employers of his employability. 'Vacancies for people with disabilities tend to be very limited; this was the biggest challenge, there are simply fewer opportunities,' he explains from his home in Broughton. 'I was fortunate to have over 22 years of prior experience in my field, and working in a specialised area made it more attractive for companies to value my expertise despite my disability.' After getting in touch with STEM Returners, Ederson was contacted with a 12-week placement opportunity and the scheme supported him through every step. 'At the end, I had the opportunity to become a permanent member of the team and I took it,' he adds. 'I had very little hope of being able to provide a dignified life for my family again. Now, I feel once again a respected professional in the workforce. Being able to give my family the dignity they deserve has been life-changing.' Meanwhile, Holly has joined a UK government initiative called The Work and Health Programme but admits the process is incredibly frustrating. 'It was absolute murder to try and get on it; I'd phone up the DWP hotline and most of them didn't even know the scheme existed,' Holly explains. Although the initiative helped them write a CV and get interviews, no job offers followed. 'I always get great feedback – but they still go with someone who has more experience every time,' she says. 'I feel used as part of a tick box exercise for employers to show that they've looked at disabled people for the job.' Following the announcement of Labour's numerous plans to help disabled people return to work, a DWP spokesperson told Metro: 'We are determined to bring down the disability employment gap and to do this, our £1 billion reforms will help sick or disabled out of poverty and our Keep Britain Working review will provide recommendations for government and employers on how they can better support disabled people and those with ill health who are at risk of falling out of work.' Despite this apparent will to close the gap, many experts feel the solution remains unclear. Others also warn that the government's approach does not take into account some disabled and chronically ill people. 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Telegraph
an hour ago
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Small boat migrant deportation scheme to begin this week
The process of deporting the first Channel migrants under a new deal with France will begin within days, Sir Keir Starmer has announced. The Prime Minister disclosed that Britain had ratified a treaty with France which means those entering the UK on a small boat can now be detained on arrival and returned across the Channel. It is believed that around 50 migrants will be returned to France each week, with the numbers expected to climb by the end of the year. Migrants will be detained for deportation in the coming days before being deported. Sir Keir is facing continued public dissent over mass migration, with protests outside hotels housing migrants across Britain, prompted in part by reports of crimes by asylum seekers. As it tries to quell mounting anger and show it is taking the concerns seriously, on Monday, Downing Street said that the police should be able to release information on the ethnicity of criminal suspects, after demands for more clarity. Sir Keir's deal with France will mean that about 800 people will be taken back by France by the end of the year, compared with tens of thousands of migrants who have arrived since Labour won the election last July. The 'one-in, one-out deal' means that a similar number of asylum seekers with family connections to the UK will be accepted by Britain. British authorities are now said to be 'operationally ready', with detentions expected to begin within days. Sir Keir said: 'This Government has been fixing the foundations of the broken asylum system we inherited and today we send a clear message – if you come here illegally on a small boat you will face being sent back to France. 'This is the product of months of grown-up diplomacy delivering real results for British people as we broker deals no government has been able to achieve and strike at the heart of these vile gangs' business model. 'The days of gimmicks and broken promises are over – we will restore order to our borders with the seriousness and competence the British people deserve.' Plans for the one-in, one-out deal were signed by the Prime Minister and Emmanuel Macron last month. It had been expected that the scheme would not come into operation until the end of the month, but it has now been brought forward. As part of the quid pro quo with France, the UK will take an equal number of migrants from France if they have not attempted an illegal crossing before. These will be subject to full documentation and security and eligibility checks. The EU Commission, Germany and other EU members have given the green light to the plan. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, said: 'This is an important step towards undermining the business model of the organised crime gangs that are behind these crossings – undermining their claims that those who travel to the UK illegally can't be returned to France. 'It is also right to make clear that – while the UK will always be ready to play its part alongside other countries in helping those fleeing persecution and conflict – this must be done in a controlled and managed legal way, not through dangerous, illegal, and uncontrolled routes.' Immigration Enforcement has set aside space at immigration removal centres, while Border Force has an operational strategy ready to identify and process groups of inadmissible migrants for removal. The treaty governing the pilot scheme will remain in force until June 2026, and over this period both countries have committed to continually review and improve the process and effectiveness of this innovative approach. As part of the deal, the French authorities have agreed to increase their enforcement activity to prevent small boat crossings, disrupt supplies of equipment to the French coast, and arrest members of the criminal groups behind the trade. A new Compagnie de Marche of specialist enforcement officers, supported by increased local policing, has been put in place and a specialist intelligence and judicial police unit has been established in Dunkirk to speed up the arrest and prosecution of people-smugglers. A review of the French maritime approach has been undertaken to allow greater interception of boats in shallow waters. Migrants in France who want to come to the UK legally, will be able to submit an Expression of Interest application for the new legal route online and the Home Office will make a decision. France long resisted signing the treaty because the Dublin returns agreement was scrapped after Brexit. They also argued that new agreement would have to be EU-wide. Separately, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said that law enforcement agencies and governing authorities 'should always be as transparent as possible' about criminal cases. He spoke after two male asylum seekers in Warwickshire were charged in connection with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton last month. Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said that the migration status of suspects should 'absolutely' be released in order to quell online conspiracy theories.
