News from Sheffield Labour

“Fair pay and no excuses!” – Sheffield MP Clive Betts

Speaking to Labour Party members in his constituency last night, Clive Betts MP (Sheffield Attercliffe):

* welcomed this week’s announcement that, from this October, it will no longer be legal to use customers’ tips to make up the minimum wage and the confirmation that any tips left for staff will be in addition to basic pay
* welcomed the increase in resources for enforcement
* warned that the National Minimum Wage is under threat

Clive Betts MP said:

“The new Labour Government brought in the National Minimum Wage in the face of massive opposition from the Conservatives, including David Cameron who toured the country campaigning against it.

“We should not be surprised that some Conservative MPs – like Christopher Chope (MP for Christchurch) – are now using the vacuous cloak of the current economic circumstances to seek to justify scrapping the National Minimum Wage.

“As many of you will know, I was the Government Whip on the National Minimum Wage Bill, responsible for steering the Bill successfully through the House of Commons despite the Conservatives determined filibuster.

“I am proud that I was able to play my part in establishing the National Minimum Wage.

“As Dennis Skinner (MP for Clay Cross) has reminded us

” ‘It wasn’t the 1945 Labour Government who introduced it; it wasn’t Harold Wilson in 1964; it was the 1997 Labour Government that brought it in – that makes me very proud.’

“I believe that, when the history books are written, the political froth which dominates today’s media will be mainly forgotten, but the establishment of the minimum wage will feature significantly as representing a seismic shift in British life at the turn of the century.

“Neither do I forget – although I’m sure they want to, and don’t want to be reminded of it – that, during the debates on the Bill, the Liberal Democrats wanted a lower Minimum Wage for workers in Yorkshire and Humberside. For some reason, they never mention that in their leaflets.

“The introduction of the National Minimum Wage and its annual up-rating has provided a massive boost to the incomes of thousands of workers in Sheffield, week-in week-out over the last 10 years.

“Unfortunately, some employers have tried to get round the law’s intentions by requiring their employees to accept contracts where tips count towards their wages. That simply wasn’t fair.

“When you go to a restaurant or have your hair cut or take a taxi and give a tip, you expect it to go to the staff on top of their pay, not to be put through the payroll to make up the Minimum Wage.

“Last November, I invited constituents to send me their views about proposals to change the regulations, so that rogue employers would not be able to frustrate the Act’s intentions.

“I’ve been delighted by the overwhelming support expressed by local people for the new rules from local people.

“One constituent wrote:

” ‘The increase in income I got, because of the minimum wage, has made a huge difference to my family. It’s been the difference between drowning and surviving. The sooner these new rules are introduced the better.’

“She went on:

” ‘But, Mr Betts, people have got short memories. Some of them have already forgotten what the wages used to be, and some of the younger ones think it’s never been any different. I tell them straight. It was only because of the Labour Government that we got the minimum wage. It wouldn’t have happened under the Conservatives or the Liberals.’

“She is absolutely right.

“We do need to keep reminding people that it was only because they voted Labour that we’ve got legislation on the Minimum Wage, on increased holiday entitlements, on part-timers and agency staff being treated fairly.

“None of these would have happened under a Conservative or Liberal Democrat government. And they would certainly be threatened by any future Conservative government.”

Other news from Sheffield Labour

• Sheffield residents reject Council's Crystal Peaks plan - 17 March 2010
• Sport England provides £10m for 'Active Universities' - 12 March 2010
• Clive Betts MP hits the ground running for Sport Relief - 11 March 2010