TUC calls for wage pledge to be honoured

The TUC has condemned rumoured plans to drop the planned rise in the National Living Wage next year.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, the planned increase from £8.72 to £9.21 due in April 2021 might be scrapped as a response to the economic damage caused by the pandemic and the expected rise in unemployment.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady commented: “Many key workers who have got us through this crisis – including care workers and supermarket staff – are on the minimum wage. It would be totally wrong to freeze their pay.

“The government must not renege upon its commitment to raise the minimum wage. Millions of low-paid workers are struggling to make ends meet. That’s not right during a pandemic – or at any time.”

She added that the rate should be increased to that of the real Living Wage, the £10.75 per hour rate recommended by the Living Wage Foundation, which is paid voluntarily by around 6,000 firms.

https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/national-living-wage-could-be-frozen-next-year-reports-claim