In March this year Chancellor Rishi Sunak promised to end low pay, but now there’s rumours that he will freeze the minimum wage. Working people are the backbone of our society and many have put their lives at risk during the pandemic. They deserve a proper payrise and a real living wage of at least £10 an hour. Show your support by adding your name to our open letter.
In March this year, Tory Chancellor Rishi Sunak said “We promised to end low pay – we’re getting it done.” But now we read reports in the press that Ministers and Officials have had private discussions about an ‘emergency brake’ on the planned increase, and that there’s a real risk of a pay freeze for the lowest paid workers.
The very same workers that protected us, that kept us fed and cared for during the pandemic shouldn’t be let down by the Tory government backtracking on their promise to increase the minimum wage. Women and black and minority ethnic workers would be hit hardest.
Trade Unions believe that the minimum wage should be a real living wage – at least £10 an hour right now, with guaranteed annual increases. The Tories’ promised increase would only take the minimum wage to £9.21 by next year – and now even that is under threat. The shop workers, care workers, cleaners and other underpaid workers who have put their lives at risk to keep us supplied and cared for deserve better.
Government Ministers stood on their doorsteps and clapped to say thank you to our keyworkers – but claps don’t pay the bills, and neither will a pay freeze. Our keyworkers deserve a real living wage of at least £10 an hour. Working people are the backbone of this country and too many have been underpaid and undervalued for too long. As trade unionists we stand with them and call on the government to keep their word as we fight to re-build a fairer more equal society beyond coronavirus.