Debates between Rachel Reeves and Alex Cunningham during the 2010-2015 Parliament

National Minimum Wage

Debate between Rachel Reeves and Alex Cunningham
Wednesday 15th January 2014

(10 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rachel Reeves Portrait Rachel Reeves
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Many people earning £6.31 an hour will be shocked and outraged to find out that bankers this year will get bonuses worth more than they earn, but they will be even more shocked to find out that they are the ones who are paying for those bonuses.

Alex Cunningham Portrait Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab)
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I am suspicious about a tomato company that is expanding in my constituency. It appears to be replacing Stockton workers with people from overseas and paying them the minimum wage. I am told that those foreign workers are charged accommodation costs, so reducing the value of that wage. The company will not answer my letters. Does my hon. Friend understand my suspicions?

Rachel Reeves Portrait Rachel Reeves
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I will come to that point shortly because the number of firms that are getting out of paying the minimum wage is incredibly worrying. We suggest increasing the fine to £50,000 for not paying the minimum wage, but there is no point in having such a fine if the legislation is not enforced.