Oral Answers to Questions

Liz Twist Excerpts

Thursday 11th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Blair McDougall]

The hon. Lady intervened on me to make a similar point in yesterday’s debate. She and her party knew that the transitional covid relief was coming to end and that revaluation was coming, because that had been agreed when the Conservatives were in Government. The difference with this Government is that we have put in more than £4 billion to cushion that transition. That shows our support for small businesses, versus them being thrown overboard by her party when they were in government.

[Liz Twist (Blaydon and Consett) (Lab)]

Earlier this year, 150,000 workers across the north-east benefited from the increase in the national minimum wage, with another increase due in April as a result of the Budget. However, it is important that these increases are actually applied, so the Minister set out what steps she is taking to ensure that employers comply?

[Kate Dearden]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend that it is important that her constituents see that increase in the hourly rate of the minimum wage and national living wage. That is in stark contrast to the Leader of the Opposition, who has said that the minimum wage should not go any higher. Our commitment further demonstrates that this Government are on the side of the working people. We will run a campaign to help employers understand their responsibilities and to ensure that workers across the country know what they are entitled to. There is a real opportunity with our fair work agency, and I would be delighted to work with her closely on that.