Minimum Wage: Britain 'Can Afford' To Pay More

Britain can afford to increase the amount its lowest-paid workers earn, the Chancellor has announced.

George Osborne said an above-inflation rise in the national minimum wage - currently set at £6.31 an hour - would "secure a recovery for all".

He has not revealed how much the wage could increase by, although he said it would need to rise by more than 10% to £7 an hour to match improvements to the economy.

"I believe Britain can afford an above-inflation increase in the minimum wage, so we restore its real value for people and make sure we have a recovery for all and that work always pays," he told the BBC.

The Chancellor says the minimum wage may need to rise to £7 an hour

Prime Minister David Cameron has also said the Conservatives have taken "difficult decisions" to "fix the economy" and could now afford to put "more money in people's pockets".

However, Labour accused Mr Osborne of "flailing around under pressure", while a Liberal Democrat source said the Chancellor had "dragged his feet" on making an announcement.

Chris Leslie, the Labour Treasury spokesman, said: "The Tories cannot hide from the fact that working people are on average £1,600 a year worse off since they came to office.

"We need action now to earn our way to higher living standards and tackle the cost-of-living crisis."

Any increase to the minimum wage would be recommended by the Low Pay Commission (LPC), which talks to businesses and looks at economic data before suggesting a rate.

The LPC, which is independent and overseen by Business Secretary Vince Cable, reviews rates each year and reports to the Government in February.

 It has been handed the Government's latest analysis on jobs and the economy ahead of its report next month.

The Government sets the rate based on the LPC's recommendation, with HM Revenue & Customs handling enforcement. 

An increase to the minimum wage would likely take effect in the autumn.

The Federation of Small Businesses backed an increase to the minimum wage but said it should rise by no more than the rate of inflation - currently 2%.

Its national chairman John Allan said: "The Low Pay Commission will recognise that in some industries, such as retail and social care, small businesses operate very fine margins and are still struggling with rising costs in areas such as utilities and business rates.

"At the same time, the recovery remains on a fragile footing in certain regions of the UK."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Minimum Wage: Britain 'Can Afford' To Pay More

Dengan url

http://slimingsuiter.blogspot.com/2014/01/minimum-wage-britain-can-afford-to-pay.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Minimum Wage: Britain 'Can Afford' To Pay More

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Minimum Wage: Britain 'Can Afford' To Pay More

sebagai sumbernya