National Minimum Wage anniversary is chance to end ‘subprime jobs’

On the 10th anniversary of the National Minimum Wage the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, has given her support for the TUC’s campaign to celebrate, protect and extend it, saying:

“The National Minimum Wage is one of the great achievements of the last decade. It has improved the life of thousands of vulnerable workers and their families including women, ethnic minority and disabled employees.

“But we still have millions languishing in subprime jobs with rock bottom pay and no access to the skills or training vital for career progression. There are more than 2 million children in working homes who are still below the poverty line.

“The Government must build on its achievements with the minimum wage to increase the fairness and protection it guarantees, irrespective of age, gender or ethnicity. If child poverty is to be ended by 2020 then our economy must end its dependency on subprime jobs.”

Notes for editors

• CPAG supports UNISON’s call for the National Minimum Wage to be equalised up to the full rate for workers between 18 and 22 years old and for an end to the exemption for some apprenticeships.
• The NMW was introduced on 1 April 1999. The adult NMW is currently £5.73 an hour. Workers aged 18-22 receive £4.77 and those aged 16 and 17 get £3.53.
• From 6 April 2009, every employer caught underpaying their workers will have to pay a penalty of between £100 and £5,000, based on the amount that they owe their workers.
• Child Poverty Action Group’s manifesto: Ending Child Poverty: a manifesto for success published to mark the 10th anniversary of Tony Blair’s pledge to eradicate child poverty, endorses UNISON’s campaign and calls for the Government to protect jobs, remove barriers to employment, and reduce in-work poverty. The manifesto can be found from 18 March 2009 at www.cpag.org.uk/manifesto
• For up-to-date background facts and stats on UK poverty, visit: www.cpag.org.uk/povertyfacts/index.htm
• CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and children.
• CPAG is one of over 150 member organisations of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending child poverty by 2020 are met.

For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
tnichols@cpag.org.uk