Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

TUC urges government to increase minimum wage to £15

TUC urges government to increase minimum wage to £15
iStock image
Getty Images

Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday (23) has set out a plan for pay growth underpinned by a £15 minimum wage as workers struggle to stay afloat.

The plead to the government comes as many workers have taken industrial action as unions have raised frustrations over declines in real pay and amid rising inflation.


TUC is also calling for the minimum wage to be uprated by at least inflation this October – as opposed to April next year when the uprating was due. The minimum wage began life in 1999 against a backdrop of opposition from Tories, business groups, and even some economists.

"But since then, we have proven that the minimum wage is effective. It has delivered pay increases for the lowest paid workers, without causing job losses. There is now a widespread consensus in favour of the minimum wage. This reaches across academic experts and across political divides," TUC said.

The government must deliver a return to normal wage growth so workers get proper pay rises for the first time in over a decade. TUC added that workers need to see sustained pay growth, year on year, so that median wages reach £20 an hour as soon as possible. This will underpin our £15 minimum wage.

TUC believes government should raise its target for the minimum wage. The current target is 66 per cent of median wages by 2024. The obvious next step is 75 per cent.

Recently, Sainsbury’s stores across Scotland and Northern Ireland saw disruption as DHL workers were set to strike, having rejected the offer of a pay rise which amounted to a cut in real terms.

Last week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also revealed that workers saw their pay fall behind inflation at a record rate over the three months to June.

Regular pay, excluding bonuses, increased by 4.7 percent over the quarter but failed to keep up with soaring inflation, which hit 9.4 percent in June and accelerated to another 40-year high last month.

More for you

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Scottish business conglomerate Glenshire Group has hired Daniel Arrandale as its new Property Director.

Starting in the newly created role last week, Arrandale brings a wealth of industry experience to the business, including his most recent position as Acquisitions Manager for Asda and his previous position as Development Manager at EG Group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlsberg Zero
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe

Carlsberg shifts marketing focus as drinkers choose cheaper beer

Brewer Carlsberg is shifting some of its marketing focus to cheaper brands, it said on Thursday (31), as consumers in major markets bought cheaper beer and in reduced quantities.

The maker of Kronenbourg 1664, Tuborg and Somersby said beer sales volumes fell by 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, noting declines in China, France and the United Kingdom. Premium sales fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter."In Western Europe, there's no doubt that the average consumer is holding back," CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters.

Keep ReadingShow less
sustainability, zero waste store, refil lzone
Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock

Consumers value ethics though 'sustainability needs to be competitively priced'

Consumers now want a greater commitment from retailers in cutting food waste, refilling stations, sustainable packaging, and partnering with social purpose organisations, states a recent research, which also highlights that a good majority (69 per cent) of younger consumers are more likely to shop with what they see as socially responsible retailers though price sensitivity still plays a crucial role.

According to the findings, published in Vypr’s Consumer Horizon Report, reducing food waste is the most important factor for the majority of UK consumers (29 per cent), especially for Gen Z women aged 18-24 (38 per cent). More than a third (37 per cent) of men aged 18-24 said they needed food storage advice. A similar number of women aged 18-24 (33 per cent) want meal kits with the exact amount of ingredients included for them to cut down on food waste.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sugro-Wn-News.png
Sugro UK
Sugro UK

Sugro UK unveils new B2B digital enhancements to empower members, retailers

Sugro UK, the number one buying and marketing buying group*, in partnership with b2b.store, is thrilled to announce a further expansion of its existing E-Loyalty scheme programme, which has proven to be very popular with its members and retailers, by introducing E-Loyalty Extra Compliance and Execution scheme as well as E-Coupons.

The E-Loyalty Extra is aimed to boost compliance and execution at retail store level to drive new product launches, core range compliance, some exciting fixture trials with its supply partners and more! It will be available to all member owned and member affiliated retail stores within the group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

iStock image

Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

Expanding its footprint in the World Foods category, Paulig has acquired Panesar Foods, a prominent UK-based producer of sauces and condiments.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Tipton, Panesar Foods is a family-owned business with three production facilities, employing 308 staff and achieving a turnover of £59 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

Keep ReadingShow less