Shropshire Star

Poll: Is £8 a fair minimum wage?

After Ed Miliband kick-started Labour's final conference before the general election with a pledge to hike the minimum wage to at least £8, we want to know what you think.

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The party leader said the rise over the next parliament - from the £6.50 level it will hit next month - was needed to stop ordinary workers being left behind.

The increase would add around £3,000 a year to the pay packets of those earning the minimum wage.

  • Is £8 a fair minimum wage? Vote in our poll and have your say in the comment box below.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Mr Miliband said: "Too many working people have made big sacrifices but in this recovery they're not seeing the rewards for their hard work because, under the Tories' failing plan, the recovery is benefiting a privileged few far more than most families.

"One in five of the men and women employed in Britain today do the hours, make their contribution, but find themselves on low pay.

"But if you work hard, you should be able to bring up your family with dignity."

Mr Miliband added: "This week Labour's Plan for Britain's Future will show how we can change and how we can become a country that rewards hard work once again. Because Labour is the party of hard work, fairly paid."

The planned increase, which would affect around 1.4 million jobs, would be introduced in annual stages by the Low Pay Commission before October 2019.

The promised rate is said to be similar to that in force in Australia and EU countries such as Belgium and Germany, but still lower than in France and New Zealand.

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