At June’s questions to the Business, Innovation and Skills Department, I voiced concerns over the strength of enforcement of the National Minimum Wage.

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Everything must be done to protect those who are working on it. These members of society are on the lowest incomes, whilst working very hard, and it is our duty to make sure that they being rewarded fully.

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That however, is not happening under this current Government.• Since they came to power the number of national minimum wage inspections is down by 60%, with only two prosecutions. There are currently 5 million people who are being paid under the minimum wage which is simply not good enough.

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Labour not only plan to increase the minimum wage, allowing it to catch up with rising prices, but to improve the enforcement of such a valuable law. The maximum fine for deliberately underpaying staff will rise and local authorities are to be given a role in enforcement- especially in the labour market which has not seen enough attention.

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You can watch my exchange with the Minister by clicking here.

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