MP sings protest on wages issue

MP Angela Rayner joins her party in a Christmas single, 'National Living Rage', accusing businesses of cutting workers' perks since the National Living Wage was introduced.

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FOR once it seems Labour MPs are singing from the same hymn sheet.

Ashton and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner has joined MPs from her party in a Christmas single accusing businesses of cutting workers' perks since the National Living Wage was introduced.

The musical protest was sung to the tune of the 1980s Band Aid hit Do They Know It's Christmas.

The National Living Wage, announced by former Chancellor George Osborne, requires employers to pay staff aged 25 and over at least £7.20 an hour.

It is believed some firms are cutting overtime pay rates and benefits to fund the rise in the basic pay rate.

The MPs have named the likes of Marks & Spencer, B&Q, John Lewis, Tesco, and more.

They say that many have replaced old contracts with new ones, which contain reduced pay packages and worse terms and conditions.

All of these changes have been made around the introduction of the new higher basic rate of pay and are being used as an opportunity to cut costs.

More than 7,700 residents in the Ashton constituency work in the affected industries of food production, restaurant hospitality and even retail.

Ms Rayner said of the issue: "I am so disappointed by the decision of some of our most famous and most loved high street companies to cut the total pay of their older, long-standing staff.

"Meanwhile, the top bosses of the companies we all know are receiving ever-increasing bonuses and salaries.

"I call on all of these companies to reverse their terrible decision to cut staff pay in this unscrupulous way.

"This is a campaign song to make sure everyone knows about the pay cuts in their shops and coffee shops."

She added: "It is not a charity single, although we are glad that proceeds from any sales of the original record will go the Band Aid Trust. Shopworkers want justice and fair pay, not charity."