Labour is facing a union backlash after a minister suggested that the full national living wage for over-18s might be delayed until after the next election. Torsten Bell, a Labour minister, sparked controversy this morning by indicating that the party may postpone lowering the age threshold for the full living wage from 21 to 18.
Union Leaders Respond
Joanne Thomas, general secretary of Usdaw, the shopworkers union, expressed deep concern over the suggestion. She said: "We are deeply concerned by voices within the government suggesting that Labour's manifesto commitment to end minimum wage rip-off youth rates should not be delivered in full. We are clear that the general election manifesto is for the lifetime of this parliament, and that is when the policy should be delivered."
Thomas acknowledged that the government has made a good start by tasking the Low Pay Commission to equalize the over-18s rate with the national living wage, and some progress has been made. However, she stressed that the vast majority of young workers are already paid the over-21 rate or above, and legally allowing them to be paid less undermines their position.
Call for Good Quality Work
Thomas also emphasized the need to help young people into work, stating that the government should support "good quality work". This includes "full implementation of their Plan to Make Work Pay, improved access to reasonable adjustments, and sustained investment in skills and apprenticeships."
Earlier, Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary of the TSSA transport union, described not implementing the manifesto pledge before the next election as "disastrous." (See 12.12pm.)
The backlash highlights growing tensions between Labour and its affiliated unions over the pace of policy delivery, with unions demanding that manifesto commitments be honored within the current parliamentary term.
