Warwick Delivery

We've received a useful paper from Hazel Blears on Warwick delivery. It gives three important examples:

1) Pensions Bill

The Pensions Bill links the basic state pension to earnings and goes a long way to tackle the discrimination faced by women and carers.

A second Bill will introduce the right for all employees earning over £5,000 to have an occupational pension with a minimum three per cent contribution.

2) Enforcing The Minimum Wage

The minimum wage is one of this Government's proudest and most radical achievements.
In January, Alistair Darling, brought in tougher fines on criminal employers breaking the law - a £200 fine for every worker underpaid.

Gordon Brown announced a 50% increase in the amount available for enforcement in December.
There is a helpline to report employers not paying the minimum wage: adult rate £5.35 over 22 year olds; development rate £4.45 18-21 year olds; £3.35 16-17 year olds. The helpline number is 0845 6000 678 (Monday - Friday 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.). Why not get your CLP to publicise this number?

3) Increasing Holiday Entitlement

In January the Government published plans to meet our manifesto commitment to ensure all workers receive their eight days bank holiday in addition to the guaranteed four weeks minimum paid holidays brought in by Labour in 1998.

By the end of 2008 this legislation will be fully in place benefiting over six million workers and will especially benefit the low paid.

Michael Leahy, General Secretary of the Union, Community, said: "Community members through the UK will be delighted that the Government is honouring its' manifesto commitment to ensure that the unscrupulous employers will not be able to count public holidays as part of an employees four weeks paid holiday leave. This move means that by the end of 2008 nearly seven million British employees will have an extra eight days holiday a year. As we approach important elections in 2007, this move shows the difference between having a Labour Government in power rather than a Tory one. I hope that employers will realise that this change is coming and look to implement faster than they have to. Employers will only be able to recruit and retain staff if they offer the best working conditions, and that includes holidays."

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Full text of Hazel's paper is available at: file://www.dti.gov.uk/employment/holidays/index.html