Murad Qureshi criticises Boris Johnston's record on LLW
The pressure on low paid workers in London was discussed during Lord Mayor's Questions yesterday ( Sept 11) as Boris Johnston was criticised for a delay in rolling out the London Living Wage.
Labour London Assembly member Murad Qureshi said at the current rate it would take 450 years for all low paid workers in the capital to recieve the LLW.
In Hounslow private rents went up by 1 per cent from October 2011 to September 2012, which amounts to £129 a year, whilst the average change in wages has decreased by 5.40 per cent.
Boris also faced questions on the cost of living crisis currently affecting people, including the impact on BME Londoners; Boris’ fare rises; the use of Zero-Hours contracts; the cost of childcare; food poverty and rising energy prices.
Murad Qureshi AM said, “Londoners are struggling with a cost of living crisis with rents, food, fuel, childcare and fares outstripping wages. In Hounslow, residents renting privately have seen rents go up by 1 per cent from October 2011 to September 2012. That works out as an extra £129.00 a year. But the average change in wages has decreased by 5.40 per cent.
“It is time the Mayor used his position and accelerated the expansion of the London Living Wage. At the current rate it will take nearly 450 years for all low paid Londoners to receive a living wage, I do not want to live in a city where people are forced to survive on poverty pay. If employers paid a living wage it would save the taxpayer money on the benefits bill, it would provide a boost to the London economy and allow people to live and not merely survive.”
September 12, 2013