YOUNG WORKERS AND LEVEL OF NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

Early day motion 573, tabled 27 November 2014 by Ian Mearns (Labour). Signed by 51 members.

That this House condemns the epidemic of zero-hours contracts and low pay for workers in the UK; regrets that the current national minimum wage is set at just £5.31 for 18 to 20 year olds, £3.79 for 16 to 17 year olds and just £2.73 for apprentices; notes that workers under 21 years old are disproportionately employed in highly casualised sectors where zero-hours contracts are frequently used; further notes that this prevents many young workers from being able to budget from week-to-week or save for their futures; believes that employers should not be able to exploit young people in this way and that legislation must ensure that no worker has to work on a zero-hours contract; and calls for the adult rate for the national minimum wage to apply to every worker of 16 years of age and above, except on the basis of proven inability to pay, following full disclosure of company profits and executive pay levels.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, DUP 5, Independent 2, Green 1, Respect 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.