http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23934721

It wouldn't hurt their re-election chances

Their policy was to let the minimum wage "whither on the vine" in their own words.


They should make the living wage mandatory for big employers and block any company that does not pay the living wage ineligible for government contracts.

Totally agree - and have it that any sub contractors that they use also pay the living wage so that a firm cant sub contract out their liability

Forget the minimum wage, it's zero hour contarcts they need to get rid of. How are people supposed to live like that? You can't even plan based on what you expect to earn as you have no idea what you're getting.
Failing that I'd limit companies to 1 or 2 percent of their employees being on zero hour contracts.

There could be a new BS standard number to comply. If the government are truly committed to the concept of making work pay they need to make sure that working means no more reliance on in work benefits. That way potential employees will see that they will be better off by working.

When I first did part time bar work I was on the equivalent of a zero hours contract, I would get notified of my shifts the week before so I could plan ahead. Though they were not as bad as Todays zero hours contracts I did get regular shifts and could get a night off if necessary without the risk of getting the sack. I cannot see how anyone can cope with todays contracts. They might give the company flexibility but they are also a way to avoid employee benefits such as sick pay or holiday rights.