Over the past year I’ve received more emails than ever from constituents worried about their futures. Many fear redundancies or being behind on rent. Others still have a job but have lost working hours in their zero-hour contracts or their employers have fired them and offered to rehire them on worse terms than before. For many people, the post Covid workplace is even less secure and less dignified than before.

Read my latest column in the Ham & High on the need for dignified, secure work for all.

Labour’s newly announced deal for working people would change that, with an immediately increased minimum wage of £10 an hour, protection against unfair dismissal, sick pay for everyone and a right to flexible working.

We’d also cancel the cruel Universal Credit cut that will be devastating for six million families who face losing £1,000 a year when they can ill afford it.  If this Government cut goes ahead, it will leave unemployment support at its lowest level ever relative to average earnings. Moreover, it will come at a time when, according to the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, there may be a further 500,000 people out of work than there are today. I believe the impact of the pandemic will be felt for a very long time, so it is not right to take away vital support from people as they recover and rebuild.

That is why I’ve written to the Prime Minister to urge him to consider the consequences of the £20 weekly cut and for further clarification on this issue. Read my letter here:

Click here to read the response I have received from the Minister.