Keir Starmer promises pay rise to hundreds of thousands of workers in Labour manifesto
KEIR Starmer has promised a pay rise to hundreds of thousands of workers.
The Labour Party has revealed its plans to change up the minimum wage system so that it is a "genuine living wage".
As part of today's manifesto, Labour has pledged to remove the "discriminatory" age bands affecting National Minimum Wage.
This would mean that all adults are entitled to the same pay and a pay rise for workers across the UK.
The manifesto reads: "Labour will also remove the discriminatory age bands, so all adults are entitled to the same minimum wage, delivering a pay rise to hundreds of thousands of workers across the UK."
There are two different minimum rates all workers are supposed to get across the UK - the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage.
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The National Minimum Wage is the amount workers under 23 - but of school-leaving age - are entitled to. While everyone aged 23 and over gets the National Living Wage.
Under the current system, exactly how much you get depends on how old you are.
Labour's plans would mean that everyone gets the same, no matter their age.
If elected, the government has also said it will adjust the powers of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) so it takes the cost of living into account.
As it stands the minimum wage rate is set by the Government each year based on recommendations by the LPC.
Labour has said: "Labour will also make sure the minimum wage is a genuine living wage.
"We will change the remit of the independent Low Pay Commission so for the first time it accounts for the cost of living."
The first National Minimum Wage was put in place in 1998 by the Labour government.
At the Labour manifesto launch, Sir Keir Starmer...
- Ruled out raising income tax, national insurance, or VAT
- Committed to keeping the pensions triple lock, which increases the state pension each year in line with the highest of inflation, earnings or 2.5%
- Promised a benefits shake-up, working with local authorities to get more disabled and sick people back into employment.
- Said he would cut energy bills and introduce a "warm home grant"
- Pledged to remove the ‘discriminatory’ age bands affecting the National Minimum Wage
- Vowed to ban advertising junk food to children along with the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16
- Promised to hike defence spending to 2.5% of GDP
- Promised to slap VAT on private schools to fund 6,500 new teachers
- Pledged to build 1.5million new homes
It originally applied to workers aged 22 and over, and there was a separate rate for those aged 18-21.
A separate rate for 16-17-year-olds was introduced in 2004, and in 2010, 21-year-olds became eligible for the adult rate of the National Minimum Wage.
What are the current National Minimum Wage rates?
The National Minimum Wage is the amount workers under 21 (but of school-leaving age) are entitled to.
Rates go up every year in April, what you get depends on how old you are.
Here are the rates that came into force on April 1, 2024:
- Those aged 21 and over - £11.44
- For 18 to 20-year-olds - £8.60
- 16 to 17-year-olds - £6.40
- The apprentice wage - £6.40
When was the minimum wage introduced?
THE first National Minimum Wage was put in place in 1998 by the Labour government.
It originally applied to workers aged 22 and over, and there was a separate rate for those aged 18-21.
A separate rate for 16-17-year-olds was introduced in 2004, and in 2010, 21-year-olds became eligible for the adult rate of the National Minimum Wage.
The rate is set by the Government each year based on recommendations by the Low Pay Commission (LPC).
Who gets the National Minimum Wage and am I entitled?
To qualify for the National Minimum Wage, you have to be of school-leaving age, which is usually above 16.
You are eligible to receive the pay rate if you work full-time, part-time or as a casual labourer - for example, someone hired for one day.
You are also entitled to the National Minimum Wage if you are an agency worker or someone paid by the number of items you make.
Apprentices also qualify for a National Minimum Wage, as well as trainees and staff still in their probationary period.
The rates also apply to disabled workers.
Anyone who thinks they are not getting paid fairly should raise the issue with their employer in the first instance.
If this is not effective, the next step is to file a complaint on the government's website.
Employers who do not pay the minimum wage can be publicly "named and shamed".
Those who blatantly fail to comply are also at risk of facing criminal prosecution.
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Which workers do not qualify for the National Minimum Wage?
Those who are self-employed, voluntary workers, company directors, and family members who live in the home of the employer and do household chores do not qualify for the minimum wage.
Au pairs, members of the armed forces, and people on a government employment programme are also not entitled to the payment.
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