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Ed Miliband pledges tough laws on wages Ed Miliband pledges tough laws on wages
(35 minutes later)
Ed Miliband has announced plans for a tenfold increase in fines – from £5,000 to £50,000 – for any company that fails to pay the minimum wage as part of a radical manifesto to end exploitation and drive up the skills of millions of British workers.Ed Miliband has announced plans for a tenfold increase in fines – from £5,000 to £50,000 – for any company that fails to pay the minimum wage as part of a radical manifesto to end exploitation and drive up the skills of millions of British workers.
In an interview with the Observer as the Labour conference opens in Brighton, he also pledges a new immigration law to ensure that medium and large companies can only take on a skilled worker from outside the EU if they pay to train a British worker in return.In an interview with the Observer as the Labour conference opens in Brighton, he also pledges a new immigration law to ensure that medium and large companies can only take on a skilled worker from outside the EU if they pay to train a British worker in return.
On Saturday, the party unveiled several ideas on wages from its policy review, saying it was looking at whether the minimum wage could be boosted in specific high-earning sectors such as finance, construction and computing, where companies might be able to afford a higher minimum rate.On Saturday, the party unveiled several ideas on wages from its policy review, saying it was looking at whether the minimum wage could be boosted in specific high-earning sectors such as finance, construction and computing, where companies might be able to afford a higher minimum rate.
Miliband, under intense pressure to show a clearer vision for government after a summer of poor poll ratings and sniping about his leadership, says he has remained "totally unfazed" by the criticisms, as he has worked on a slew of policy announcements for Brighton to flesh out his "One Nation" idea.Miliband, under intense pressure to show a clearer vision for government after a summer of poor poll ratings and sniping about his leadership, says he has remained "totally unfazed" by the criticisms, as he has worked on a slew of policy announcements for Brighton to flesh out his "One Nation" idea.
With preparations overshadowed by a new book by Gordon Brown's former spin doctor Damian McBride about plots, smear campaigns and political assassinations, Miliband says McBride will never work for Labour while he is leader and that anyone found briefing against a colleague will be sacked: "It is totally unacceptable." With preparations overshadowed by a new book by Gordon Brown's former spin doctor, Damian McBride, about plots, smear campaigns and political assassinations, Miliband says McBride will never work for Labour while he is leader and that anyone found briefing against a colleague will be sacked: "It is totally unacceptable."
The conference will focus on how to tackle the "cost of living crisis" and why real wages for the vast majority have fallen behind as the rich have piled up more wealth. "What is the biggest issue facing British politics today? That for generations, when the economy grew, most families got better off," he says. "That is what we saw in the 80s, that's what I saw growing up … Somewhere along the way that link between the growing wealth of the country and family finances has been broken. The conference will focus on how to tackle the "cost of living crisis" and why real wages for the vast majority have fallen behind as the rich have piled up more wealth. "What is the biggest issue facing British politics today? That for generations, when the economy grew, most families got better off," he says. "That is what we saw in the 80s, that's what I saw growing up … Somewhere along the way that link between the growing wealth of the country and family finances has been broken. You have got to prevent all the gains being scooped up by those at the top."
"You have got to prevent all the gains being scooped up by those at the top." Some 287,000 workers are currently paid less than the minimum wage (now £6.19 for people aged 21 and over but rising to £6.31 next month), including an estimated 200,000 or more in the care sector alone. Yet there have only been two attempted prosecutions since the wage was introduced in 1999. Miliband describes as "ridiculous" the fact that fines for fly-tipping can be as high as £50,000 while that for non-payment of the minimum wage is £5,000. "You should have a maximum fine of £50,000 for not paying the minimum wage because that is proportionate." Labour would give local authorities new powers to investigate non-payment and enforce the law.
Some 287,000 workers are currently paid less than the minimum wage (now £6.19 but rising to £6.31 next month), including an estimated 200,000 or more in the care sector alone. Yet there have only been two attempted prosecutions since the wage was introduced in 1999. Miliband describes as "ridiculous" that fines for fly-tipping can be as high as £50,000 while that for non-payment of the minimum wage is £5,000. "You should have a maximum fine of £50,000 for not paying the minimum wage because that is proportionate." Labour would give local authorities new powers to investigate non-payment and enforce the law. The Labour leader says too many UK companies opt for quick fixes to fill skills gaps by employing workers from outside the EU, meaning the immigration system works for companies but not for British workers wanting to get on. To address this, Labour would legislate so that any company employing more than 50 people would have to train a local apprentice for each skilled worker it takes on. It says this will increase the number of highly trained apprentices by more than 100,000 during the next parliament. He said immigration should "work for all, not just some people".
The Labour leader says too many UK companies opt for quick fixes to fill skills gaps by employing workers from outside the EU, meaning the immigration system works for companies but not for UK workers wanting to get on.
To address this, Labour would legislate so that any company employing more than 50 people would have to train a local apprentice for each skilled worker it takes on. It says this will increase the number of highly trained apprentices by more than 100,000 during the next parliament. "Immigration must work for everyone," he says.
Speaking in Brighton on Saturday, Miliband said it was the "forgotten wealth creators – the people who put in the hours, who do the work, who do two jobs, who do the shifts" that should be supported. At a question and answer session with the public, he was asked when he would "bring back socialism". "That's what we are doing, sir," he replied.Speaking in Brighton on Saturday, Miliband said it was the "forgotten wealth creators – the people who put in the hours, who do the work, who do two jobs, who do the shifts" that should be supported. At a question and answer session with the public, he was asked when he would "bring back socialism". "That's what we are doing, sir," he replied.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne will on Sunday announce plans to legislate to introduce a specific criminal charge of disability hate crime amid growing evidence that victims are being let down. He will also say he intends to sack Atos, the controversial company that adjudicates on people's ability to work, due to its poor record, and rethink how the disabled are treated by the state. Two in five assessments are appealed and 42% of those are successful. "We'll put Atos out the door", Byrne will say. Shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne will on Sunday announce plans to legislate to introduce a specific criminal charge of disability hate crime amid growing evidence that victims are being let down. He will also say he intends to sack Atos, the controversial company that adjudicates on people's ability to work, due to its poor record, and rethink how the disabled are treated by the state. Two in five assessments are appealed and 42% of those are successful. "We'll put Atos out the door," Byrne will say.
A new Opinium/Observer poll puts Labour on 36%, seven points ahead of the Tories on 29%. Ukip is on 17% and the Lib Dems 7%, showing no sign of any significant bounce from their conference last week. However Miliband's personal ratings remain dire and are way behind Cameron's. A new Opinium/Observer poll puts Labour on 36%, seven points ahead of the Tories on 29%. Ukip is on 17% and the Liberal Democrats 7%, showing no sign of any significant bounce from their conference last week. However, Miliband's personal ratings remain dire and are way behind Cameron's.
Miliband says he is determined to press ahead with reform of Labour's links with the unions to broaden the party's base of support, not to sever it from the institutions from which it was founded. He refuses to name the date of any reshuffle but hints strongly that Ed Balls he will be chancellor if Labour wins the next election. "Nobody doubts his ability to do the job of chancellor. And that is really important." Miliband says he is determined to press ahead with reform of Labour's links with the unions to broaden the party's base of support, not to sever it from the institutions from which it was founded. He refuses to name the date of any reshuffle but hints strongly that Ed Balls will be chancellor if Labour wins the next election. "Nobody doubts his ability to do the job of chancellor. And that is really important."
Attacking the Tories record on wages and skills he says: "David Cameron talks about the global race. What he doesn't tell you is that he thinks for Britain to win the global race people have to lose. In other words wages race to the bottom, and terms and conditions and rights at work. It is not an accident of his economic policy, it is his economic policy. The squeeze." Attacking the Tories' record on wages and skills, he says: "David Cameron talks about the global race. What he doesn't tell you is that he thinks for Britain to win the global race people have to lose. In other words wages race to the bottom, and terms and conditions and rights at work. It is not an accident of his economic policy, it is his economic policy. The squeeze."
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