10 years of the National Minimum Wage

This month marks 10 years since Labour voted to introduce the National Minimum Wage.

Looking back I think this is one of Labour's proudest achievements in Government. And we built on this by increasing the minimum wage and bringing in better safeguards at work like paid holidays and the right to request flexible working for parents and carers.

But what working people in St. Helens want to know is how we are going to make sure that all working people benefit from the improved standards that Labour has introduced.

I became an MP to fight for the rights of working people in St. Helens and I'll always do what I can. Labour is coming down hard on those people that don't pay workers the minimum wage. And there are even tougher penalties for rogue employers who con staff as part of the Employment Bill, now before Parliament.

When the National Minimum Wage came in ten years ago I remember people like David Cameron strongly opposed it. People said the minimum wage would cost the country 2 million jobs. The reality is totally different. An extra three million jobs have actually been created since then – and nearly one million low-paid employees have benefited from it.

I'm proud that our Labour Government is taking steps to strengthen the Minimum Wage – ensuring that working people know their rights, employers know their responsibilities, and that everyone has the opportunity to work and get on in life.

10 years on, I’d love to hear your thoughts about the National Minimum Wage.