Two days before the autumn budget, it was leaked that the Government is planning to increase the national living wage from £8.91 to £9.50. The increase will only apply to those aged 23 and over. People aged 21-22 will see their minimum wage rate increase to £9.18 with the Apprenticeship rate increasing to £4.81.

All increases are welcome however the increase of 59p to the national living wage doesn’t meet the union’s call for £10 per hour and the Government continues to entrench inequality by legally allowing young people to be paid less simply because of their age.

Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Every year we provide detailed evidence, including the testimony of Usdaw members, to the Low Pay Commission. The evidence strongly backs up our call for a new deal for workers, which includes at least £10 per hour for all workers, regardless of their age. If you’re old enough to do the job, you’re old enough to be paid the rate for the job.

“The impact of the coronavirus crisis continues to be felt across our economy and society. Workers in retail, distribution and many other low-paid industries have shown just how vital they are to keeping the UK economy going during a time of extreme pressure. The best way to thank key workers is to give them a wage they can live on.

“A recent Usdaw survey of over 2,500 low paid workers showed that over half of workers on less than £10 per hour had to miss meals to pay bills and that, over the last 12 months, more than seven in ten have had to rely on unsecured borrowing to pay everyday bills. The case for a minimum wage of £10 per hour for all workers is clear.

“As the country tries to recover from the pandemic, we need a new deal for workers. In addition to a minimum wage of at least £10 per hour, this must include more secure contracts, better sick pay for all workers and a proper social security system. The best way to thank key workers is to ensure fairness at work.”

Usdaw’s New Deal for Workers calls for:
 

• A minimum wage of at least £10 per hour for all workers, ending rip-off youth rates and providing a living wage.
• Minimum contract of 16 hours per week, for everyone who wants it, that reflects normal hours worked and a ban on zero-hour contracts.
• Better sick pay for all workers, from day one, at average earnings.
• Protection at work – respect for shopworkers, abuse is not a part of the job.
• A proper social security system, Universal Credit does not provide a safety net.
• Job security, with day one employment rights for unfair dismissal and redundancy.
• Fair treatment and equality for all workers, including equal pay.
• A voice at work, stop rogue employers refusing to engage with trade unions and end ‘fire and rehire’. 

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 400,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion